Hooker
was born at Norwich, England in 1785. At the age of
four years he inherited considerable property in Kent.
From early childhood he had an outstanding interest in
natural history. Early in the 19th Century he became
very well acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks, Robert
Brown, de Candolle and other leading men of his time.
He accepted a professorship in the University of
Glasgow in 1819 and became an outstanding teacher. He
established the Botanic Garden at Glasgow but some
time after accepted the directorship at Kew
Gardens.
After the death of George III and Sir Joseph Banks
in 1820, Kew Garden became merely a "royal pleasure
garden." In 1839 some of glass houses stocked with
plants obtained from 60 years of collection were
almost converted into locations for grapes for the
King's table.
A report chiefly prepared by John Lindley in 1840
was presented to Parliament recommending that Kew
should be make a national botanic garden and a center
of botanical science for the British Empire. The
report was accepted and Kew became a national
institution and Sir William Hooker accepted the
Directorship in 1841.
Hooker's actual botanical work was voluminous and
he helped greatly to establish the natural system of
plant classification in Great Britain. The present
herbarium and library were developed from his own
pride collections. He was also responsible for the
layout of the garden and erection of many of the glass
houses. He was characterized by great energy,
imagination and administrative ability.
