Thomas Hardwicke (1756–1835): botanical drawings and manuscripts from the Hardwicke Bequest in the British Library

• Published in: Archives of Natural History
• Main Author: Turner, I. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Edinburgh University Press 2015
• Subjects: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous); History; Anthropology; Indian; Prince of Wales Island; Hastings
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3366/anh.2015.0308; https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/full-xml/10.3366/anh.2015.0308

Major-General Thomas Hardwicke retired following a lengthy career in India during which he amassed a considerable collection of natural history specimens and drawings. At his death in 1835, the bulk of these were transferred to the British Museum, together with various drawings, manuscripts and correspondence – the “Hardwicke Bequest”. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the material in the Hardwicke Bequest, particularly that related to botany now held in the British Library. The illustrations include the 16-volume set of “Plants of India”, a volume of Indian fungi, and another of plants of Penang. Among the manuscripts, a copy of the contents list of William Jack's hortus siccus of Malay plants presented to the Marchioness of Hastings appears to be a significant find. A manuscript copy of William Hunter's “Plants of Prince of Wales Island”, the earliest, though unpublished until 1909, flora of Penang is also notable. Hardwicke was an indefatigable describer of the plants he encountered, sending many descriptions, as well as specimens, to William Roxburgh and other eminent botanists of his day. The Hardwicke Bequest includes a large number of manuscript descriptions, notably 247 from Hardwicke's extended stay in Mauritius in 1811.