Robert Dick was born in Tullibody, in 1811 and was apprenticed to a local baker after leaving school, aged 13.
But he began to study in his spare time, eventually becoming a world-renowned expert on the botany and geology of Caithness.
His achievements are being marked by the Tullibody History Group.
The group said the event would look at the legacy of a "remarkable, entirely self-taught man".
Despite a relatively humble upbringing - the son of an excise officer - his achievements were noted by some of the most prominent scientists of the day.
Sir Roderick Murchison of the British Association of Scientists was said to have remarked about him: "I found to my humiliation that this baker knew more of botanical  science - aye - 10 times more than I did."
And the well-known naturalist Hugh Miller, who received many fossils from Dick, wrote that "he has robbed himself to do me service".
In 1863, Dick had to sell part of his geological collection, which is now in the National Museums Scotland.
He continued his research, but in August 1866 he collapsed while gathering specimens in a quarry. He never recovered fully and died four months later.
The only memorial to him is in Thurso Cemetery, the Tullibody History Group said.
Members of the group hope to erect a new memorial to the man to mark the bicentenary of his birth this year, as well as publishing a book about his life.
An event on 27 August at the Tullibody Heritage centre would give a "fascinating insight into an unusual man", the group added.

Media playback is not supported on this device
The 3-1 win at Solitude means David Healy's Blues finish the campaign two points ahead of Crusaders who had held the title for the last two years.
Crusaders ended their title challenge with a 6-1 win over Glenavon at Seaview but in the end it was not enough.
It is Linfield's first title triumph since they did the double in 2012.
They are one match away from another double as they face Coleraine in the Irish Cup final on 6 May.
Linfield may have lifted the County Antrim Shield in February, but this will go down as a first major managerial success for Northern Ireland record scorer David Healy.
He took over as Linfield manager in October 2015 and saw his team end the season runners-up in the league and beaten by Glenavon in the cup final.
Clinching the title in his first full season seemed unlikely in mid-February when Crusaders were nine points ahead.
But Linfield went on an amazing run picking up 43 points from a possible 45, to take advantage of Crusaders' slip-ups.
Linfield were trailing at half-time after Daniel Hughes headed Cliftonville into a 13th-minute lead but Linfield bounced back in style after the break.
Waterworth pounced for a close-range equaliser and followed that with a brilliant individual strike which turned out to be the title clincher.
The former Glentoran striker made it 3-1 on the hour with a penalty after he was fouled by Chris Ramsey who was sent-off.
With Cliftonville losing, Ballymena's draw against Coleraine lifted them into fourth place, meaning they will have home advantage against Dungannon in the semi-finals of the Europa League play-offs.
Cliftonville will host Glenavon in the other semi-final, with the matches being played on Monday, 8 May.
Carrick are seeking a new manager as they prepare for the promotion/relegation play-off games after Aaron Callaghan quit minutes after their 4-1 defeat away to Ballinamallard United.
The life of a 19th Century Clackmannanshire baker who went on to become a world authority on botany is to be celebrated.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Andrew Waterworth scored a second-half hat-trick as Linfield beat Cliftonville to clinch the title on a dramatic final day of the Irish Premiership season.