More Dons

Here is another photo of Pandorea jasminoides which I blipped yesterday. Some blippers commented on my mention that this plant was named by botanist George Don, an ancestor of TV presenter Monty Don.

There were more Dons. 'Our' George Don (1798 - 1856) was the son of another George Don (1764 - 1814). George Senior created his own botanic garden at Forfar in Scotland. In 1802 he became Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. He travelled widely through Scotland collecting plants.

Another son was David Don (1799 - 1841) who was also a prominent botanist. He was, for a time, Librarian at the Linnean Society in London and then Professor of Botany at University College London.

The website Friends of the Forfar Botanists has lots more information.