Francisco Antonio Zea was an eminent Colombian botanist, journalist, diplomat and politician. Born in 1766 in Medellín, Colombia, Zea showed an early interest in the natural sciences. He took part in the Real Expedición Botánica del Nuevo Reino de Granada, a major scientific undertaking to document the region's flora, under the direction of José Celestino Mutis.

As a botanist, Zea made a significant contribution to the expedition's work, collecting and classifying numerous plant species. Alongside his scientific career, Zea was active in journalism and politics. He edited several publications and used his writings to promote ideas of independence and social reform in Latin America. He later became vice-president of Gran Colombia under Simón Bolívar, and played a crucial role in Europe in support of the independence cause. He died in Bath, England, in 1822.

Source :
https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/15998/francisco-antonio-zea-rodriguez
https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/z/zea_francisco.htm