George William Francis
George William Francis (1800–1865) was an English botanical and general science writer. An emigrant to Australia, he made a reputation there as a gardener.
Life
Born in London, Francis emigrated to Australia for improved prospects of supporting his family; he arrived in the Louisa Baillie 2 September 1849. Shortly he took over the old botanical garden of Adelaide, north of the Torrens River, as a tenant. Subsequently he was appointed director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden, a position he held for the rest of his life. [1]
Francis died after a long illness, of dropsy on 9 August 1865 and was buried the next day. He left a widow and ten children.[1]
Works
Francis published:[1]
- Catalogue of British Plants and Ferns, 1835; 5th edition, 1840.
- Analysis of British Ferns, 1837; 5th edition, 1855.
- Little English Flora, 1839.
- Grammar of Botany, 1840.
- Chemical Experiments, 1842, abridged by W. White, 1851, and republished as Chemistry for Students.
- Favourites of the Flower Garden, 1844.
- Manual of Practical Levelling for Railways and Canals, 1846.
- Art of Modelling Wax Flowers, 1849.
- Electrical Experiments, 8th edition, 1855.
- Dict. Practical Receipts, new edition, 1857.
- Acclimatisation of Animals and Plants, Royal Society, South Australia, 1862.
Francis also edited the first five volumes of the Magazine of Science and School of Arts, 1840–5.[1]
Notes
- 1 2 3 4
Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1889). "Francis, George William". Dictionary of National Biography. 20. London: Smith, Elder & Co. - ↑ IPNI. Francis.
External links
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1889). "Francis, George William". Dictionary of National Biography. 20. London: Smith, Elder & Co.