Immerse yourself in garden history with our brand-new introductory course, led by historian and Gardens Trust trustee Francesca Murray.
In Part Two of the course we explore gardens from the Victorian era up to the 20th Century, with the help of the RHS Lindley Library collections.
In Session 1 we explore 19th Century Picturesque and the Victorians. We ask:
- Was the view from a Claude glass the earliest garden Instagram pic?
- Was the glass in Victorian glasshouses green or clear?
- How polite did you have to be to enter a Victorian public park?
‘A really well-made buttonhole is the only link between Art and Nature’ - Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Inspired by the writing of William Gilpin, discover the romantic and sublime English gardens that motivated both women and men to get into amateur gardening. Contrast this with the salesmanship of Humphrey Repton and his entrepreneurial followers who sought commercial opportunity in all aspects of horticulture.
How did glasshouses push the boundaries of British science and cultivation and enable the rise of the professional gardener. Plus, lets unpack the establishment of the cheap gardening press. Why the devil not!?
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Course Leader
Francesca Murray - Francesca studied horticulture and garden design at Berkshire Agriculture College before running her own garden design business. Francesca has an MA in Garden History and is currently in her fourth year of a PhD at Queen Mary’s University of London, researching nineteenth-century gardeners and nurserymen. She is a trustee of the Gardens Trust and speaker for Perennial.
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Event Details
Tickets for this event are required, with the ticket cost supporting the RHS Lindley Library. Tickets are £40 for all three sessions in Part 1, or £15 for a single session. RHS membership not required.
The RHS Lindley Library opens at 10am, with the session beginning at 11am. This session will take place between the Library and the Council Chamber.
Please note that due to the nature of the Edwardian building, it is necessary for participants of the event to be able to independently manage stairs.
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Ticket Information
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