John Bartram Association

"John Bartram (1699-1777) was the self-taught "Father of American Botany." Bartram's career as a botanist began with the creation of his garden in Kingsessing, Pennsylvania. While Bartram's botanical garden was probably not the first in America, it soon became the largest and most impressive. He traveled extensively throughout the eastern United States collecting plant specimens. His first expedition was through Maryland and Virginia, where he traveled up the James River and into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Other trips led Bartram through the Catskill Mountains and Oswego, New York, to Lake Ontario, and later to the Carolinas. Bartram's final trip, in 1765, took him to Florida, where he served as King George's royal botanist.

"Of John Bartram's nine children, William (1739-1823) is the best known. He attended the Philadelphia Academy for four years, beginning in 1752. Despite his father's desire that he learn a trade, William was fascinated by botany and pursued his love of nature throughout his life. He accompanied his father on the 1765 expedition in Florida and, in 1773, returned to further explore the state. William spent nearly four years in the southern United States and later published an account of his travels. Two of John Bartram's other children, Moses and Isaac Bartram, were Philadelphia merchants."

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Finding aid for "Bartram Family Papers, 1684-1841." Accessed July 3, 2012. http://discover.hsp.org/Record/hsp.ead.at01-0036/Details#tabnav.

From the guide to the John Bartram Association collection on the Bartram family, 1768-2012, (John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library)

"The John Bartram Association's mission is to protect and enhance the landmark Bartram's Garden and House, advance the Bartram legacy of discovery, gardening and art, and inspire audiences of all ages to care for the natural world. The Garden is a 45-acre National Historic Landmark operated by the Association in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia.

"John Bartram (1699-1777) was a Quaker farmer lit with a "Botanick fire" that, over time, made him America's first great botanist. His lifelong passion for science began when, as a boy, he looked closely at local wildlife and read every book he could find. Bartram was blessed with profound curiosity and energy. So he set himself a staggering goal, make a compleat Discovery of the Native Growth in America ."

The City of Philadelphia bought the Bartram estate in 1891 and turned it into a public park and historic site. The non-profit John Bartram Association was established in 1893.

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: John Bartram Association. "About John Bartram Association." Accessed June 21, 2012. http://www.bartramsgarden.org/about-us/

From the guide to the John Bartram Association research files, Bulk, 1980-2012, 1905-2012, (John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library)

"The John Bartram Association's mission is to protect and enhance the landmark Bartram's Garden and House, advance the Bartram legacy of discovery, gardening and art, and inspire audiences of all ages to care for the natural world. The Garden is a 45-acre National Historic Landmark operated by the Association in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia.

"John Bartram (1699-1777) was a Quaker farmer lit with a "Botanick fire" that, over time, made him America's first great botanist. His lifelong passion for science began when, as a boy, he looked closely at local wildlife and read every book he could find. Bartram was blessed with profound curiosity and energy. So he set himself a staggering goal, make a compleat Discovery of the Native Growth in America ."

The City of Philadelphia bought the Bartram estate in 1891 and turned it into a public park and historic site. The non-profit John Bartram Association was established in 1893.

Bibliography:

Quoted text from: John Bartram Association. "About John Bartram Association." Accessed June 21, 2012. http://www.bartramsgarden.org/about-us/

From the guide to the John Bartram Association records, 1911-2012, (John Bowman Bartram Special Collections Library)