Botanist (1852-1954).
John Dearness (13 May 1852 – 6 December 1954) was a Canadian educator, botanist, and mycologist. Largely self taught he conducted scientific studies in plant pathology leading to B.T. Dickson of the McGill University called him the "Rostrup" of Canada, comparing him with the Danish plant pathologist Emil Rostrup (1831-1907). Dearness was born in Hamilton, Canada West and grew up on a farm near London, Canada West. At a young age he began a wildflower garden. At school he took an interest in natural history and at 19 he became principal of the Lucan village school and three years later principa