One of the first scientists of the renaissance to advance taxonomy through firsthand observations was

The correct answer would be - Valerius Cordus.

Explanation:

Valerius Cordus was one of the initial scientists of the renaissance period to work on advancing the taxonomy by observing the organisms firsthand. He was a German physician and botanist.

He wrote a book about the history of the herbals and also authored one of the finest pharmacopeias.  He was also synthesized the ether and hugely appreciated for this.

Thus, the correct answer would be - Valerius Cordus.

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