The Father of Botany is considered to be Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 371 to 287 BC. He was a student of Aristotle and is known for his groundbreaking work in the field of botany. Theophrastus was the first person to study plants systematically and classify them based on their physical characteristics.

Early Life and Education
Theophrastus was born in Eresos, Lesbos, and was educated in Athens. He studied under Plato and Aristotle, and became a close friend of the latter. Theophrastus was appointed as the head of Aristotle's Lyceum after the latter's death.

Contribution to Botany
Theophrastus wrote extensively on botany, with his most famous work being "Enquiry into Plants". This work is considered to be the first systematic study of plants, and it describes around 500 different species. Theophrastus classified plants based on their physical characteristics, such as the shape and size of their leaves, stems, and flowers.

Theophrastus also wrote about the medicinal properties of plants and their use in agriculture. He was the first person to describe the process of grafting and recommended the use of manure as a fertilizer.

Legacy
Theophrastus' work on botany had a significant impact on the development of the field. His classification system was used for centuries, and many of the plant names he introduced are still used today. Theophrastus is also credited with being the first person to use a microscope to study plants.

Conclusion
Theophrastus is regarded as the Father of Botany due to his groundbreaking work in the field. His systematic classification system and detailed study of plant characteristics laid the foundation for modern botany. His work has been studied and built upon for centuries, and his contributions to the field are still recognized today.

Father of Botany: -Theophrastus
Father of modern Botany: - Linnaeus