Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858-1954) was an American botanist and cofounder of the American Society for Horticultural Science . Born in South Haven, Michigan, he was educated and taught at the Michigan Agricultural College before moving to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he was director of the College of Agriculture. He wrote scores of books, including scientific works, efforts to explain botany to laypeople, and a collection of poetry.
Bailey is credited with being instrumental in starting agricultural extension services, the 4-H movement, parcel post and rural electrification. He was considered the father of rural sociology and rural journalism.
External links
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/bailey