The Royal Botanic Society was a

learned society A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and science. Membership ...

founded in 1839 by

James de Carle Sowerby James De Carle Sowerby (5 June 1787 – 26 August 1871) was a British mineralogist, botanist, and illustrator. He received an education in chemistry. Sowerby was born in London, the son of botanical artist James Sowerby (1757–1822), and his ...

under a royal charter to the Duke of Norfolk and others. Its purpose was to promote "botany in all its branches, and its applications." Soon after it was established, it leased the grounds within the Inner Circle in

Regent's Park Regent's Park (officially The Regent's Park) is one of the Royal Parks of London. It occupies of high ground in north-west Inner London, administratively split between the City of Westminster and the Borough of Camden (and historically betwee ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, about , for use as an experimental garden. Sowerby remained as secretary for some 30 years, and J. B. Sowerby and W. Sowerby later also served as secretaries. The garden was open to members and their guests and also to the general public for a fee on certain days of the week. It included large palm-houses and a water-lily house. In the summer, flowershows, fetes, and other entertainments were held there. In 1932 it failed to secure a renewal of the lease, and the Society was dissolved. Its surviving records were deposited in the St. Marylebone Public Library. The site became Queen Mary's Gardens, which is run by the

Royal Parks Agency The Royal Parks of London are lands that were originally used for the recreation, mostly hunting, of the royal family. They are part of the hereditary possessions of The Crown, now managed by The Royal Parks Limited, a charity which manage ...

, and is fully open to the general public without charge as part of Regent's Park.

References

External links

*http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=094-rbs&cid=0 *http://www.gardenvisit.com/book/history_of_garden_design_and_gardening/chapter_4_british__gardens_(1100-1830)/royal_botanic_society_in__regents_park * Defunct learned societies of the United Kingdom Gardening in England Organizations established in 1839 1839 establishments in England 1932 disestablishments in England Organizations disestablished in 1932 Organisations based in London Gardens in London {{botany-stub