Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Abstract

BOTANICAL gardens contribute living interest to the teaching of plant science, and it is significant that their development began in the earliest days of the study of botany. The University of Cambridge was not one of the first bodies to recognize the value of providing living plants for study, but it had some early associations with botanical science. Mr. F. G. Preston has published an interesting paper on the history of the gardens now under his charge (J. Roy. Hort. Soc, 65, Pt. 6, June 1940). The famous Gerard attempted to establish a botanical garden at Cambridge in 1588, but without success. John Ray studied the Cambridgeshire flora, and later handed his mantle to the University's professor of botany, John Martyn, who extended the floral studies to other counties, and lived to see the first botanic garden at his University. In 1762, Dr. Walker, vice-master of Trinity College, obtained about five acres of land, on the advice of his friend, Philip Miller of Chelsea. The garden remained in poor condition until 1831, when Prof. Henslow was successful in obtaining the present site, and transferred the plants to their new surroundings. The names of Babbington, Lynch, Marshall Ward and Sir Albert Seward show to what extent the directors of the garden have contributed to the development of modern science, and in more recent times W. Bateson and Prof. R. C. Punnett have worked there. Development after the War of 1914–18 was along the lines of closer contact with the teaching of botany, and was associated particularly with the names of Reginald Cory and Humphrey Gilbert-Carter.