Grape Man of Texas: The Life of T.V. Munson
by Sherrie S. McLeRoy, Roy Edward Renfro
Category: Science

Grape Man of Texas is the first biography of Thomas Volney Munson (1843-1913), the internationally known horticulturist who developed over 300 varieties of new grapes specifically for the American South and Southwest. He is perhaps best known for his work in fighting the phylloxera epidemic of the late nineteenth century, which nearly wiped out the world's vineyards. His solution-grafting vinifera onto certain resistant native rootstocks from Texas-earned him the Chevalier du Merite Agricole in the French Legion of Honor and numerous accolades. Munson belonged to and was honored by a number of viticultural and scientific associations and was considered a leader in the new scientific movement of the time for his cutting-edge work in breeding plant varieties, some of which are still important in modern viticulture and research.