johannes burman was the eldest son of the theologian frans burman (1671-1719) and his wife elizabeth thierens. his brother was the theologian frans burman (1708-1793). he started his studies in leiden in 1722 under herman boerhaave, and qualified in 1728 as a doctor of medicine, after which he practiced in amsterdam. after the death of frederik ruysch he was appointed professor of botany in amsterdam. johannes burman was married to adriana van buuren. their son nicolaas laurens burman was also a botanist and studied under linné in uppsala.