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A.J. Downing and John Torrey correspondence, 1833-1847

by: Downing, A. J.(Andrew Jackson),1815-1852

Publication date: 1833

Topics: Botanical specimens, Corema conradii, Wardian cases, Belknap, William G. (William Goldsmith), 1794-1851, De Kay, James E. (James Ellsworth), 1792-1851, Downing, A. J. (Andrew Jackson), 1815-1852, Torrey, John, 1796-1873, Bentham, George, 1800-1884, Buel, Jesse, 1778-1839, Croom, Hardy Bryan, 1797-1837, Dickerson, Mahlon, 1770-1853, Douglas, David, 1799-1834, Graham, Robert, 1786-1845, Gray, Asa, 1810-1888, Hosack, David, 1769-1835, Hovey, C. M. (Charles Mason), 1810-1887, Knevels, John W., -1855, Le Conte, John Eatton, 1784-1860, Lindley, John, 1799-1865, Loudon, J. C. (John Claudius), 1783-1843, Mather, W. W. (William Williams), 1804-1859, McNab, William, 1780-1848, Nees von Esenbeck, C. G. (Christian Gottfried), 1776-1858, Nuttall, Thomas, 1786-1859, Rafinesque, C. S. (Constantine Samuel), 1783-1840, Silliman, Benjamin, 1779-1864, Thorburn, George C, Wallich, N. (Nathaniel), 1786-1854, Horticultural Society of London, Lyceum of Natural History (New York, N.Y.), Massachusetts Horticultural Society, United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842)

Collection: nybgtorrey; biodiversity; NY_Botanical_Garden

Contributor: New York Botanical Garden, LuEsther T. Mertz Library

Language: English

John Torrey Papers (PP), Archives, The New York Botanical Garden

Correspondence from A.J. Downing to John Torrey, dated 1833-1847. In his first letter, dated 1833, Downing expresses his delight at "the commencement of a correspondence" with Torrey, and a lively exchange of specimens, seeds, publications, and ideas-- debates on taxonomy and methods of propagation-- follows. Downing sends Torrey plants from his Newburgh nursery; Torrey reciprocates with roots, seeds, and whole plants from as far away as North Carolina and Florida. Downing also regularly includes plants and flowers meant for Torrey's wife. By 1842, with Torrey in Princeton and Gray in Cambridge, Downing laments that all his "botanical acquaintances" have left New York City-- "What a scientific desert!" he says. A few more letters appear in 1847-- though Downing maintains that "Princeton is the Southern Antarctic to me," he writes again to ask Torrey to analyze a soil sample, and catch up on their respective work and publications. Obsolete plant names mentioned include Euphorbia poinsettii, Magnolia cordata, Nelumbium luteum, and Sarracenia heterophylla

Digitized under grant #PW-234827-16 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

Finding aid for the John Torrey papers available from the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden and online

Abstract: Correspondence from A.J. Downing to John Torrey, dated 1833-1847. In his first letter, dated 1833, Downing expresses his delight at 'the commencement of a correspondence' with Torrey, and a lively exchange of specimens, seeds, publications, and ideas-- debates on taxonomy and methods of propagation-- follows. Downing sends Torrey plants from his Newburgh nursery; Torrey reciprocates with roots, seeds, and whole plants from as far away as North Carolina and Florida. Downing also regularly includes plants and flowers meant for Torrey's wife. By 1842, with Torrey in Princeton and Gray in Cambridge, Downing laments that all his 'botanical acquaintances' have left New York City-- 'What a scientific desert!' he says. A few more letters appear in 1847-- though Downing maintains that 'Princeton is the Southern Antarctic to me,' he writes again to ask Torrey to analyze a soil sample, and catch up on their respective work and publications. Obsolete plant names mentioned include Euphorbia poinsettii, Magnolia cordata, Nelumbium luteum, and Sarracenia heterophylla.