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There are few more important figures in the early history
of modern gardening than John Tradescant the elder (1570
- 1638) and his son (1608 - 1662). This is the definitive
study of two remarkable men who travelled to new or little-known
lands - John the elder to Russia, the Near East and
North Africa, John the Younger to the new colony of Virginia
- in search of botanical treasures.
They worked for a series of eminent patrons including Robert
Cecil, the Duke of Buckingham and Charles I, for whom they
supervised the creation of some of the great gardens of the
period. They were also responsible for introducing many new
plants into Britain. Prudence Leith-Ross identifies those
varieties which were first grown by the Tradescants or introduced
to the country by one of them.
Their botanical garden at South Lambeth became a centre of
horticultural interest, and their collection of rarities,
‘the Ark’, which subsequently formed the basis of
the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, was the first public museum
in the country.
A unique feature of the book are the extensive appendices
reproducing the complete texts of the Tradescants’ lists
of plants of 1629 - 33, 1634 and 1656, as well as the Musaeum
Tradescantianum, the younger Tradescant’s catalogue
of the museum collection. Each plant is identified its
modern botanical name, making this an essential work for
all those interested in the history of gardening and British
plants.
‘An invaluable book . . . a thorough account of two
fascinating lives.’ - Sunday Telegraph
‘Well researched and a pleasure to read.’ - Times
Literary Supplement
‘Real value . . . well produced. Both the specialist
and the general reader will gain an excellent idea of the
background ethos of the period.’ - Apollo
‘Fascinating reading. Leith-Ross’s exhaustive research,
the reproduction of correspondence and the invaluable and
comprehensive appendices ensure this book a permanent place
in all gardening libraries.’ - Lady
‘Proper gardeners should grab this quirky treasure of
a book.’ - Tablet
‘Prudence Leith-Ross has pruned some of the doubtful
details and amassed what we know of the two men . . . A
definitive work of reference.’ - Robin Lane Fox, Financial
Times
‘Valuable.’ - Nigel Nicholson, Guardian
‘Absorbing . . . The author’s research is admirable
. . . Her book will give great pleasure.’ - Spectator
‘Both enlightening and entertaining.’ - Popular
Gardening
‘Extremely well-researched and the tale is well-told.’
- House and Garden
‘An admirable book . . . All the known facts are here.’
- Royal Horticultural Society |
