William Roxburgh

1751 - 1815

Botanist, who significantly advanced the study of Indian flora. Born in Craigie (South Ayrshire), Roxburgh was educated at the University of Edinburgh under Professor John Hope (1725-86), where studied medicine and botany. He obtained the post of surgeon's assistant with the East India Company. In India, he joined the Madras Medical Service and was posted in the Indian hill-station of Samulcotta (in Andhra Pradesh, north of Madras), where he was able to study the local plants. Roxburgh was appointed Superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden (1793 - 1813), during which time he was able to produce a mass of coloured drawings which were subsequently used to illustrate his important books on the flora of India.

Roxburgh died in Edinburgh.

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