G. H. Cunningham

Gordon Herriot Cunningham
Born(1892-08-27)27 August 1892
Moa Flat, Otago, New Zealand
Died18 July 1962(1962-07-18) (aged 69)
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Alma materVictoria University College
Notable work
  • The rust fungi of New Zealand
  • Fungus diseases of fruit-trees in New Zealand
SpouseMadge Leslie McGregor
MotherHelen Donaldson Cunningham (née Heriot)
AwardsHector Medal (1948)
Scientific career
FieldsPlant pathology
Author abbrev. (botany)G.Cunn.

Gordon Herriot Cunningham CBE FRS (27 August 1892 18 July 1962) was the first New Zealand-based mycologist and plant pathologist. In 1936 he was appointed the inaugural director of the DSIR Plant Diseases Division. Cunningham established the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium, and he published extensively on taxonomy of many fungal groups. He is regarded as the 'Father' of New Zealand mycology.