Years: 

1899–1986

Year Hutchinson Medal awarded:

1959

R. Milton Carleton (also known as Reginald Milton Carleton) was a prominent American horticulturist, author, and influential figure in the gardening world throughout the 20th century.

Key contributions:

• Co-founder of the American Horticultural Society
• Research Director at Vaughan Seed Company in Downers Grove, Illinois, for 40 years until his retirement in 1967
• Founder of Chicago’s Municipal Rose Garden
• Editor roles:  
  • Garden editor for Chicago Today
  • Garden and science editor for Better Homes and Gardens
  • Columnist for Chicago American and other nationally syndicated newspapers.
    • Publications:  
      • Authored 17 books on horticulture
      • Wrote over 1,000 articles for American, Canadian, and British journals
      • Notable titles include:
        • The New Vegetable & Fruit Garden Book (1976)
        • Your Lawn: How to Make It and Keep It (1959)
        • The Small Garden Book (1971

Scientific Contributions:

• Played a key role in the development of 2,4-D, a selective herbicide used in lawn care and agriculture. He helped adapt it for domestic use after WWII.
• Maintained an index of over 75,000 plant common names, which he donated to the Dictionary of American Regional English.

Honors

• Twice awarded the Charles L. Hutchinson Medal by the Chicago Horticultural Society for distinguished service
• Fellow of:  
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Garden Writers Association of America
• Served as Chairman of the Chicago World Flower Show for two years