Edwin Lanfranco, the renowned botanist, lecturer, scholar and researcher has passed away. He leaves behind him an irreplacebale loss in the nature community. Lanfranco educated countless numbers of students and instilled in them a love for Malta’s natural heritage. He was an international authority on the flora of the Mediterranean and co-authored several books on the subject.
Born on 21st September 1946 in Sliema, Lanfranco was educated at St. Elizabeth School, Stella Maris College, and St Michael’s College of Education. He furthered his studies at London University and graduated B.Sc. Special in botany (1973).
Lanfranco taught in primary (1968) and secondary schools (1968-1975), and at post-secondary institutions, including government sixth forms (1975-1987) and the University of Malta. He was a visiting lecturer in systematics and botany at the University of Malta since 1978, and full-time, mainly in botany and evolutionary biology, since 1988. Following retirement (2011), he continued lecturing on a part-time basis, mainly at the Institute of Earth Systems.
A flowering plant discovered by a University of Malta team on the Maltese shoreline was also named after Edwin in November 2023.
The flowering plant – named Lanfranco’s Sea Lavender – is a small woody shrub living along a very narrow coastal limestone rocky strip. It shows close relationships to the coastal Maltese Sea‑Lavender (Limonium melitense, il‑limonju ta’ Malta), but differs genetically, and in some other physical features.
Limonium lanfrancoi, is only found in a small area within the Maltese archipelago and is unique to the world. It is considered an endangered species with a very restricted distribution in the Maltese Islands.
A personal reflection
I knew Edwin personally for the last 25 years or so. Apart from being a committed lecturer and scholar, he also had a deep love of classical music, particularly Russian and Czech. As a fellow collector, I went to his house in New Street, Sliema (Now Sir Arturo Mercieca Street) countless times, and we used to spend long hours discussing the latest recordings as well as his extensive LP collection.
Edwin also kept abreast of all the latest news and was a wily commentator on several political topics in our private discussions. He was also a collector of memorabilia such as stamps and old political posters, some of which I have digital copies of. One hopes that this collection will be preserved.
Tributes poured in from several institutions, including the Environmental and Resources Authority, Birdlife Malta, Heritage Malta and several of his friends and former students such as Prof Alan Deidun who counted Edwin as his mentor.
I will close with the quote from the ERA tribute which is entirely appropriate.
“Today we say goodbye to Dr Edwin Lanfranco — Malta’s leading botanist, a humble honest person, a kind soul, and a man of quiet brilliance.
His deep knowledge on many many topics, sharp wit, and generous heart left a lasting mark on Malta and on all those who knew him. His love and passion for the environment and teaching will remain with all his students, friends, and family”.
Rest in Peace Edwin, you will be missed.
Edwin Lanfranco: 21.09.1946-3.6.2025
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