WILLIAM DARLINGTON 



1782-1863 

 Darlingtonia Calif arnica* TORREY 



Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, a doc- 

 tor, botanist, and author, Darlington was one of 

 a famous group of scientists exploring, writing 

 and keeping up a keen scientific correspondence 

 with each other; from Europe to America, from 

 America to Europe, news of fresh plants, packets 

 of seeds, graceful congratulations were sent, Lin- 

 naeus being the brightest star and one whose 

 opinion was first sought. 



The seeming hardship of having to work on 

 a farm, the outdoor life, may have indirectly 

 helped William Darlington's botanical interests. 

 His great-grandfather, Abraham Darlington, 

 had come over from England to Pennsylvania 

 when a young man, and settled near Chester. 

 William was the eldest child of Edward and 

 Hannah Townsend Darlington and one of five 

 sons. He had a common school education, but, 

 hungry for more, persuaded his father to let him 



1 The name Darlingtonia had been previously otherwise used. This 

 plant will always be popularly known as " Darlingtonia," but most 

 careful botanists now use the technical name Chrysamphora. (J. H. 

 Barnhart.) 



"3 



