About the Author

George Barron graduated from the University of Glasgow in Scotland with a B.Sc. degree in Botany and later with an M.Sc. in Plant Pathology (University of Toronto) and a PhD. in Mycology (Iowa State University). From 1958 to 1993, Barron was on the faculty of the University of Guelph where he specialized in the taxonomy and biology of soil micro-fungi and published over 100 research papers, several chapters and two books on this topic. His contributions to mycology have been recognized by his peers with a number of awards over the years, including a D.SC. from Glasgow University in 1984 for his contributions to soil mycology; the Sigma Xi "Excellence in Research" award from his colleagues at the University of Guelph in 1992; and the Canadian Botanical Association George Lawson Medal in 1993.