self-taught botanists Archives

Richard Buxton: The Shoemaker Botanist of Manchester

A daguerreotype of Richard Buxton, a British shoemaker and self-taught botanist. This portrait was taken in 1851 when Buxton was 65 years old.

The Lancashire Botanist January 15, 1786 Today is the birthday of the British shoemaker and amateur botanist Richard Buxton. Born into poverty in Lancashire, as a young boy, Richard enjoyed picking his favorite wildflowers: Germander Speedwell, Creeping Tormentil or Cinquefoil, and Common Chickweed. Now, although it has pretty deep blue flowers, I think it’s a little…

The Baker Botanist: Remembering John Wilson of Longsleddale

Longsleddale is a valley and civil parish in the Westmorland and Furness district of Cumbria, England. It includes the hamlet of Sadgill. The parish has a population of 73.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. July 15, 1751 On this day, we mark the passing of that most remarkable botanical genius, John Wilson of Longsleddale—a man who dared to make the lofty kingdom of plants accessible to common…

The Botanical Survivalist: Thomas Grant Harbison’s Extraordinary Legacy

Thomas Grant Harbison Portrait (colorized)

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. April 23, 1862 On this day, dear readers, the botanical world was graced with the arrival of one Thomas Grant Harbison—a man whose peculiar dedication to flora would eventually lead him to subsist…