Featured

Henry Ridley

When Henry Ridley took over directorship of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, (1888-1911)there were many overgrown jungle areas and he was tasked with making a preliminary forest survey. Ridley is holding a machete for cutting his way through the undergrowth, while his assistant is carrying a vasculum for any interesting specimens they might come upon.Ridley on foot from the Henry Ridley Papers, RBG Kew Archives HNR/1/2/9/66

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Henry Ridley and rubber tree, Singapore

Extension of original cutting on an old Para rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis - Henry Ridley ('Rubber Ridley') and rubber tree, tapped for latex. HNR/1/2/6/3 Henry Ridley was director of the Singapore Botanic Garden from 1888 to 1911. Through his expertise and ecouragement, and with rubber trees that had been trees sent from Kew in 1877, the Malaysian rubber plantation industry was established. Today most of the world's rubber comes from plantations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

© The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Portrait of William Townsend Aiton (1766 - 1849)

Lithograph portrait of William Townsend Aiton (1766-1849), portrait, lithograph by L. Poyot, printed by C. Graf. The handwritten note attached to bottom of the portrait reads: The small parcel accompanying this note is enclosed for Dr. Hooker with my kindest regards, W.T. Aiton. Royal Gardens Kew, 7 Octr 1829. Aiton was Head Gardener at Kew from 1793 to 1841, and also appointed Director General of all royal gardens by King George IV. He was involved in the production of Hortus Kewensis, 1810 to 1813.

© RBG Kew