Ernest Henry Wilson (1876-1930) was an English botanist and plant collector who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their habitats. He is best known for his extensive plant collecting expeditions to China, Japan, and the United States.
Wilson was born in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England in 1876. He was the son of a gardener and had a keen interest in plants from an early age. He studied botany at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and graduated in 1898. After graduation, he worked as a plant collector for the Veitch Nurseries in Cornwall.
In 1901, Wilson was hired by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University to collect plants in China. He spent the next five years in China, collecting over 10,000 specimens. He also made several trips to Japan and the United States. During his travels, he collected many rare and unusual plants, including the Chinese magnolia, the Chinese dogwood, and the Chinese wisteria.
In 1906, Wilson returned to England and was appointed the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He was responsible for the development of the gardens and the introduction of new plants. He also wrote several books on botany and plant collecting.
In 1910, Wilson was sent to the United States to collect plants for the Arnold Arboretum. He spent the next two years in the United States, collecting over 5,000 specimens. He also made several trips to Mexico and South America.
In 1912, Wilson returned to England and was appointed the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He continued to collect plants and wrote several books on botany and plant collecting. He also wrote a book on the history of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
In 1920, Wilson was sent to China to collect plants for the Arnold Arboretum. He spent the next five years in China, collecting over 10,000 specimens. He also made several trips to Japan and the United States.
In 1925, Wilson returned to England and was appointed the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He continued to collect plants and wrote several books on botany and plant collecting. He also wrote a book on the history of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
In 1930, Wilson died in London. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church in Chipping Campden.
Ernest Henry Wilson was a pioneering botanist and plant collector who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their habitats. He was responsible for the introduction of many new plants to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Arnold Arboretum. He also wrote several books on botany and plant collecting. His legacy lives on in the many plants he collected and the books he wrote.