WILKES PLAQUE 



The dedication ceremony of the bronze plaque honoring 

 Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes occurred on November 12, 

 1985. This event took place in the United States Botanic 

 Garden Conservatory Orangerie, where the plaque is 

 installed. 



Its inscription reads: 



Admiral Charles Wilkes 

 April 3, 1798-February 8, 1877 



This plaque is established in memory of Admiral 

 Charles Wilkes, navigator and scientist, whose 

 Pacific and Antarctic Expedition (1838-1842) yielded 

 hundreds of exotic plants which formed the core col- 

 lection of the United States Botanic Garden. The 

 Garden was established in 1842 after Wilkes had 

 successfully persuaded Congress to support 

 scientific care and study of these specimens. 



Admiral Wilkes recorded the results of this 

 important expedition in his five-volume work, 

 "Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedi- 

 tion ." He discovered the Antarctic continent, where 

 Wilkes Land bears his name. Known for his deter- 

 mination, dedication and strength of leadership, 

 Charles Wilkes was one of the most colorful of the 

 early American Naval Officers. 



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