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Overview
This informative volume traces the extraordinary evolution over more than two centuries of Kew's historic landscape, which began with two private royal gardens and expanded through the work of some of our most distinguished garden designers and architects, resulting in an important range of listed buildings of which thirty-nine have survived. These, together with the latest additions to Kew's architectural heritage, are extensively illustrated and described. As much a part of this fascinating landscape are the principal figures in Kew's history - among them Queen Caroline, her son Frederick Prince of Wales, his wife Princess Augusta, and George III; Sir Joseph Banks, who organised the first worldwide plant-collecting expeditions; Sir William Hooker and his son, Sir Joseph, who laid the foundations of the present Botanic Gardens; and successive directors who formulated policy and enabled improvements. Kew also played a pivotal role in the development of the British Empire's natural resources, the introduction of commercial crops to the colonies and the compilation of colonial floras. Its collaboration with overseas botanical gardens, alongside its establishment as an international scientific institution are equally crucial and examined in detail.Editorials
Allen Paterson
This is an important book, impeccably researched, superbly written, illustrated and produced. -- Country LifeAnn Geneva
It is impossible to do justice to the comprehensiveness of both the text and copious illustrations of this superbly researched and beautifully produced book. -- Financial TimesBook Details
Published
July 2, 1998
Publisher
Harvill Press
Pages
488
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781860465291