The article is devoted to one of the outstanding scientists and lecturers of Timiryazev Academy in the field of vegetable growing and breeding, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Academician of VASKhNIL and RASKhN German I. Tarakanov. The stages of his life and creative path, his formation as an outstanding scientist of the country in the field of vegetable growing and breeding, an outstanding lecturer and the head of the scientific school are presented. The contribution of the scientist to various fields of research is shown: the study of biological features of vegetable plants as a theoretical basis for the development of industrial cultivation technologies, original studies of life forms, detailed studies of the ecology of vegetable plants and microclimate in structures with polymer coatings. More than 50 varieties and hybrids of cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables for protected and open cultivation were created by the scientist. As the head of the scientific and pedagogical school German I. Tarakanov made a great contribution to the development of education in the field of vegetable growing on the scale of the university and the country, graduated more than 60 doctors and candidates of sciences, published more than 300 scientific works, including monographs and textbooks for universities.