Lecture: Finding Mr Wilson

Tue 23 February 2010

Ernest Wilson was the foremost plant collector of his generation, responsible for introducing over 1,000 species to our gardens in the West.

Old Lady in Tung Ku

Tuesday 23 February

Mark Flanagan and Tony Kirkham
7pm
Venue: Kew

Ernest Wilson was the foremost plant collector of his generation, responsible for introducing over 1,000 species to our gardens in the West. In this illustrated lecture, based on their recently published book ‘Wilson’s China’, the authors reveal Wilson’s adventures through excerpts from his own writings as well as describing their own experiences tracing his journeys in the wilds of China today.

Wilson’s legacy includes glass plate photographs taken in Sichuan at the beginning of the 20th century, depicting landscapes, villages, river scenes, people and plants, veteran and exceptional trees. Armed with copies of these images, and with the help of Chinese guides and local knowledge, the authors retraced Wilson’s footsteps, taking photographs themselves. The result is a splendid series of ‘then and now’ images which are a key feature of this informative homage to a great plant hunter.

All tickets: £5

This lecture has been generously supported by the Dr. H. Shawdon Charitable Trust

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Tony Kirkham and Mark Flanagan

Tony Kirkham is Head of Kew’s Arboretum and is perhaps best known for his appearances in the BBC series 'A Year at Kew' and 'The Trees That Made Britain'.

Tony Kirkham

Tony Kirkham has worked in Kew’s Arboretum since 1978. A former Kew Diploma student, he was appointed manager of the North Arboretum in 1981 to later become Head of the Arboretum and Horticultural Services.

He has been actively involved in maintaining and increasing Kew’s collections in the Arboretum. He has an infectious enthusiasm for his subject. He also lectures to students at Kew as well as other professional and interested groups.

Since 1997 Mark Flanagan has been Keeper of the Gardens in Windsor Great Park and is responsible for the world-renowned Savill and Valley Gardens as well as the gardens at Frogmore (the resting place of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) and Royal Lodge. Mark also worked for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for over 10 years spending the majority of his time at Wakehurst Place. Mark has travelled extensively in search of hardy plants, with visits to Turkey, various countries in eastern Asia – South Korea, Taiwan, Russia and China - the eastern United States and western Canada and the western states of the USA.