WILLIAM DARLINGTON 



1 782- 1 863 

 Darlingtonia Californica ' — 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 



' 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.) 



113 



