Saunders, Charles Francis, 1859-1941

Charles Francis Saunders (1859-1941) was born to Quaker parents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He and his first wife, Elisabeth Hallowell Saunders (d. 1910), were both avid naturalists; Charles began publishing essays on botany as early as the 1890s. Charles and Elisabeth also collaborated on a number of publications, he as author, she as illustrator. The couple settled in Pasadena in 1906 in a Craftsman bungalow on North Lake Avenue, where Charles devoted himself full time to writing. Saunders eventually published more than a dozen books inspired by California and the Southwest. Both Charles and Elisabeth were amateur photographers, and many of their photographs were used to illustrate some of Saunders' early books. In 1921, Saunders married writer Mira Barrett Culin (d. 1968). Mira shared Saunders' interest in gardens, botany, and photography. For many years, Mira published articles on Pasadena gardens, parks and trees in the Pasadena Star News, for which she took dozens of photographs. First with Elisabeth, and then with Mira, Saunders travelled extensively throughout California and the Southwest, photographing all of the California Missions, the regions' natural wonders, Native Americans, and flora, among other things. These interests became the primary subjects of his publications, and many were illustrated with photographs taken by the author on his many excursions.

From the description of Charles Francis Saunders and Mira Culin Saunders Collection of Photographs and Negatives [graphic], ca. 1871-1965 (bulk 1910s-1920s) (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 123502706

Charles F. Saunders (1859-1941) was a horticulturalist and author whose works include The Indians of the terraced houses (1912) and Under the sky in California (1913). With his first wife, Elisabeth Moore Hallowell, Saunders traveled throughout the Southwest and settled in Pasadena, California. After his first wife's death, Saunders married Mira Barrett Culin, a writer herself, in 1921.

From the description of Papers of Charles F. Saunders, 1882-1966. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122510227

Amateur naturalist and prolific author of books and articles about Pennsylvania, California, and the Southwest.

A lifelong Quaker, Saunders was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1859 and married artist Elisabeth Hallowell in 1902. They moved to Pasadena, California in 1906 and traveled througout the deserts and mountains of southern California, taking a keen interest in Native American ethnobotany and the California missions. After Elisabeth's death, Saunders remarried Mira Culin in 1921 and remained in Pasadena until his death in 1941.

From the description of Charles Francis Saunders papers, 1680-1954, bulk 1800-1941 (Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Library). WorldCat record id: 60546661

Biographical Note

Charles Francis Saunders (1859-1941) was born to Quaker parents in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He and his first wife, Elisabeth Hallowell Saunders (d. 1910), were both avid naturalists; Charles began publishing essays on botany as early as the 1890s. Charles and Elisabeth also collaborated on a number of publications, he as author, she as illustrator. After a honeymoon trip to California and the Southwest in 1902, the couple moved permanently to California in 1906 and settled in a Craftsman bungalow on North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, where Charles devoted himself full time to writing. He eventually published more than a dozen books inspired by California and the Southwest. Both Charles and Elisabeth were amateur photographers, and many of their photographs were used to illustrate Saunders' books, The Indians of the Terraced Houses (1912) and Under the Sky in California (1913).

In 1921, Saunders married Mira Barrett Culin (d. 1968) whom he had met at the Pasadena Garden Club. Also a writer, Mira shared Saunders' interest in gardens, botany, and photography. For many years, Mira published articles on Pasadena gardens, parks and trees in the Pasadena Star News, for which she took dozens of photographs.

First with Elisabeth, and then with Mira, Saunders travelled extensively throughout California and the Southwest, photographing all of the California Missions, the regions' natural wonders, Native Americans, and flora, among other things. These interests became the subjects of 18 books and numerous essays and articles Saunders published in his lifetime. Many of these books were illustrated with photographs taken by their author on his many excursions.

Saunders' collection of Native American pottery and crafts is now in the collection of the Southwest Museum, Los Angeles, and his botanic library is in the possession of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens.

[Source: Apostol, Jane. "Southern California Through the Lens of Charles Francis Saunders," Southern California Quarterly, volume 81 (Spring 1999): 1-88.]

From the guide to the Charles Francis Saunders and Mira Culin Saunders Collection of Photographs and Negatives, ca. 1871-1965, (bulk 1910s-1920s), (The Huntington Library)