"In the early part of the nineteenth century James Smith of Monkwood Grove at Minishant was one of Scotland's greatest botanists. He gave much valuable information on botanical subjects to Sir William Hooker which Sir William incorporated in his famous books on botany. James Smith died in 1848 and was buried in Ayr old churchyard where his friends erected a monument to him. He was the tenant of the gardens and orchard at Monkwood and was a simple and unworldly man but his knowledge of botany was unsurpassed by any in the whole of Scotland at that time and people came from many countries to listen and learn from him and many old gardens throughout Scotland today owe their beauty to the humble Minishant gardener who advised on what should be be planted in them." Excerpt from Maybole, Carrick's Capital Facts, Fiction & Folks by James T. Gray, Alloway Publishing, Ayr.
"In the early part of the nineteenth century James Smith of Monkwood Grove at Minishant was one of Scotland's greatest botanists. He gave much valuable information on botanical subjects to Sir William Hooker which Sir William incorporated in his famous books on botany. James Smith died in 1848 and was buried in Ayr old churchyard where his friends erected a monument to him. He was the tenant of the gardens and orchard at Monkwood and was a simple and unworldly man but his knowledge of botany was unsurpassed by any in the whole of Scotland at that time and people came from many countries to listen and learn from him and many old gardens throughout Scotland today owe their beauty to the humble Minishant gardener who advised on what should be be planted in them." Excerpt from Maybole, Carrick's Capital Facts, Fiction & Folks by James T. Gray, Alloway Publishing, Ayr.
Inscription
Erected by his friends and admirers, in memory of
Mr. James Smith, botanist, Monkwood Grove,
who died 1st January, 1848 aged 88 years.
This simple monument to the father of Scottish
botany, will direct the many students who profited
by his kind, gratuitous instructions in the science of
botany, where the tear of fond remembrance may
mingle with the dust of a leal and true friend.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
