The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries was founded by Royal Charter in 1617 and is still in existence nearly 400 years later. The precursor of today's pharmacist, an apothecary was required to study botany, particularly the identification, cultivation and preparation of medicinal herbs. An area of land that could be used as a garden for study was therefore essential.
In 1673 they found the perfect site in Chelsea. Not only did they have a four acre area in which to grow plants, the Apothecaries also had access to the river. This meant that they could build a boathouse for the barge that they used both for ceremonial occasions and field trips. The fact that it was south facing and enjoyed its own gentle microclimate must also have influenced their decision. Thus was founded the Chelsea Physic Garden.
In 1682 the then Curator, John Watts, having established contact with the Professor of Botany at Leiden University invited him to visit. It was during that visit that the idea of the plant and seed exchange was born, a programme which continues today.
By 1722 the area had been sold to Dr Hans Sloane, physician and later President of the Royal Society and Royal College of Physicians. Himself a former student at the Garden, he had great sympathy for the Apothecaries and arranged for the land to be leased to them in perpetuity for the fixed sum of five pounds per annum. All he asked in return was that 50 new plants be submitted to the Royal Society every year.
That same year he appointed the renowned botanist, Philip Miller, Gardener. Miller raised the reputation of the Garden to the extent that it became world famous. He continued with the seed exchange and is credited with the introduction of many new plants into the UK, cultivated for the first time at Chelsea.
He also trained other young men in the field of botany, including William Aiton: the first Gardener at Kew. Another fledgling botanist that he took under his wing was the young Joseph Banks. Banks, in return, donated many new specimens to the garden, collected during his voyage to the South Pacific on James Cook's Endeavour. The ballast from his own expedition to Iceland, basaltic lava, was also contributed towards the rock garden that was completed in 1773. Incidentally, this was the first of its kind in Europe and can still be seen today.
Following the reforms of the Medical Act of 1886, botany ceased to be part of the student medical curriculum and examinations were discontinued. In 1901 the Society of Apothecaries gave up the lease on the Chelsea Physic Garden, the City Parochial Foundation taking it over. Although still used for research, its fortunes declined and it became a registered charity in 1983.
But there's always a silver lining, and in this instance it was the opening up of the Garden to the general public. So if you want to tread in the footsteps of Phillip Miller, or see what Joseph Banks used to steady his ship, then a fascinating day out awaits you.
In 1673 they found the perfect site in Chelsea. Not only did they have a four acre area in which to grow plants, the Apothecaries also had access to the river. This meant that they could build a boathouse for the barge that they used both for ceremonial occasions and field trips. The fact that it was south facing and enjoyed its own gentle microclimate must also have influenced their decision. Thus was founded the Chelsea Physic Garden.
In 1682 the then Curator, John Watts, having established contact with the Professor of Botany at Leiden University invited him to visit. It was during that visit that the idea of the plant and seed exchange was born, a programme which continues today.
By 1722 the area had been sold to Dr Hans Sloane, physician and later President of the Royal Society and Royal College of Physicians. Himself a former student at the Garden, he had great sympathy for the Apothecaries and arranged for the land to be leased to them in perpetuity for the fixed sum of five pounds per annum. All he asked in return was that 50 new plants be submitted to the Royal Society every year.
That same year he appointed the renowned botanist, Philip Miller, Gardener. Miller raised the reputation of the Garden to the extent that it became world famous. He continued with the seed exchange and is credited with the introduction of many new plants into the UK, cultivated for the first time at Chelsea.
He also trained other young men in the field of botany, including William Aiton: the first Gardener at Kew. Another fledgling botanist that he took under his wing was the young Joseph Banks. Banks, in return, donated many new specimens to the garden, collected during his voyage to the South Pacific on James Cook's Endeavour. The ballast from his own expedition to Iceland, basaltic lava, was also contributed towards the rock garden that was completed in 1773. Incidentally, this was the first of its kind in Europe and can still be seen today.
Following the reforms of the Medical Act of 1886, botany ceased to be part of the student medical curriculum and examinations were discontinued. In 1901 the Society of Apothecaries gave up the lease on the Chelsea Physic Garden, the City Parochial Foundation taking it over. Although still used for research, its fortunes declined and it became a registered charity in 1983.
But there's always a silver lining, and in this instance it was the opening up of the Garden to the general public. So if you want to tread in the footsteps of Phillip Miller, or see what Joseph Banks used to steady his ship, then a fascinating day out awaits you.
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