The Royal Botanic Society was a

learned society A learned society ( ; also scholarly, intellectual, or academic society) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and sciences. Membership may be open to al ...

founded in 1839 by James de Carle Sowerby under a royal charter. Its purpose was to promote "botany in all its branches, and its applications." The society was based at leased grounds within the Inner Circle in Regent's Park, London, where they created an experimental garden with large palm-houses and a water-lily house. The gardens were open to members and at times the public, and hosted a variety of entertainments, including flower shows. The society was dissolved in 1932 after failing to renew the lease. The society's library is held by the

Natural History Museum A natural history museum or museum of natural history is a scientific institution with natural history scientific collection, collections that include current and historical records of animals, plants, Fungus, fungi, ecosystems, geology, paleo ...

in London. The site became Queen Mary's Gardens.

History

The Royal Botanic Society was founded in 1839 by James de Carle Sowerby under a royal charter to the Duke of Norfolk and others. The patron was

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

. 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 in north-west Inner London, administratively split between the City of Westminster and the London Borough of Camden, Borough of Camden (and historical ...

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, 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. The society had a number of publications, including the ''Quarterly Record of the Royal Botanic Society of London'' (1880-1909), ''Botanical Journal'' (1910-1918) and ''Quarterly Summary and Meteorological Readings, Royal Botanic Society of London'' (1919–1930). 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 society had a library which is now held by the Natural History Museum. The site became Queen Mary's Gardens, which is run by the Royal Parks Agency, and is fully open to the general public without charge as part of Regent's Park. Fellows of the society used the post-nominal letters F.R.B.S.

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 with royal patronage Gardens in London {{Coord, 51, 31, 39.33, N, 0, 9, 13.17, W, scale:3125_region:GB, display=title