The Influence of Thomas Meehan on Horticulture in the United States
Date
1997-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Thomas Meehan (1826-1901) was a regular contributor to the ever-expanding
body of knowledge about plants in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. Born in London,
but raised on an estate on the Isle of Wight where his father was Head Gardener,
Meehan’s interest in plants began at an early age. He studied at the Royal Botanic
Garden, Kew. His fifty-three year career was launched in the United States by Robert
Buist, a Philadelphia nurseryman. Meehan went on to start his own nursery, edit two
successful gardening periodicals, write three books, and publish numerous articles on
plants for both the scientific elite and the common man.
This thesis documents Thomas Meehan’s work as a horticulturist in the United
States and evaluates the influence of his work. Areas of study include his early work as a
gardener, his nursery, his career as an editor and writer, his involvement with the
Centennial Exposition, and his efforts to create city parks. Due to the nature of his work,
Meehan’s sphere of influence extended well beyond the immediate Philadelphia area.
While his publications garnered a national audience which spread across the country, his
nursery supplied an international clientele. Through city parks and exhibits at the
Centennial, Meehan again reached both national and international audiences.
The common thread which binds Meehan’s many interests together is the quest
for knowledge and the commitment to share that knowledge with others. In every
endeavor, Meehan was able to communicate his passion for plants, whether it be through
the distribution of new plants from his nursery, editorials in his magazines, or the creation
of city parks as a place to enjoy nature.
Description
Keywords
History-public gardens, Horticulture, Thomas Meehan, Plant distribution