V. S. Summerhayes

Victor Samuel Summerhayes OBE (21 February 1897 – 27 December 1974) was an English botanist in charge of the orchid herbarium at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew for 39-years.

Summerhayes was born on 21 February 1897 at Street, Somerset and he was educated at Sexey's School, Bruton and University College, London. His time at University was interrupted when he served in the Royal Engineers including action at the Battle of the Somme. In 1920 after being awarded a first-class honours degree, he was awarded the Quain Studentship. Summerhayes started work at the Herbarium at Kew in 1924.

Summerhayes retired from the Royal Botanical Gardens in 1964 and moved to Sidmouth where he lived until his death in 1974.