THE GEinESEE FARMER. 



173 



DR. JOHN LINDLEY. 



"We promised in our January number to give oc- 

 casional sketches, accompanied with portraits, of 

 some of the most eminent agriculturists, both Eu- 

 ropean and American. The tirst of the series was 

 that of Thomas Bates. "We think it advisable to 

 extend our original plan so as to embrace distin- 

 guished horticulturists. 



This month we give a portrait of Dr. John Lind- 

 LEY, the celebrated botanist, and author of many 

 valuable works connected with horticulture. Our 

 facts are mainly derived from the London Cottage 

 Uardener. 



• De. Lindlet was born at Oatton, near Norwich, 

 England, where his father carried on the business 

 of a nurseryman and seedsman. His early life was 

 not distinguished by anything remarkable. Having 



obtained the rudiments of his education in his native 

 country, he went to France to prosecute the more 

 advanced branches. 



In consequence of reverses sustMued by his fath- 

 er in his business pursuits, he was early thrown 

 upon his own resources. The first notice he at- 

 tracted in the world of science was in consequence 

 of a controversy with Sir James Smith, the Presi- 

 dent of the Linnean Society. This came to the 

 notice of Sir Joseph Banks, -who, siding with Mr. 

 LiNDLEY, and appreciating his controversial abili- 

 ties, used his influence to get him employed by the 

 Horticultural Society— who, being determined to 

 organize an extensive botanical garden, arranged 

 in 1821 to take one at Chiswick; and in 1822, Mr. 

 LiNDLKY was appointed assistant Secretary of the 

 Society. In that office he had the superintendence 

 of the collection of plants, besides other duties 



