Alicia Amherst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alicia Amherst
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| Born | Alicia Margaret Tyssen Amherst 30 July 1865 Poole, Dorset, England |
| Died | 14 September 1941 (aged 76) Poole, Dorset, England |
| Pen name | Mrs. Evelyn Cecil Lady Rockley of Lytchett Heath Baroness Rockley |
| Occupation | horticulturist, botanist, writer |
| Language | English |
| Subject | horticulture, gardening history |
| Notable works | The History of Gardening in England (1896) |
| Spouse | Evelyn Cecil, 1st Baron Rockley |
| Relatives | William Tyssen-Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst of Hackney (father) |
Alicia Margaret Tyssen Amherst (born July 30, 1865 – died September 14, 1941) was an English expert in gardening, a plant scientist (botanist), and a writer. She wrote the very first detailed book about the history of gardening in England.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Alicia Amherst was born in 1865 in Poole, a town in Dorset, England. She was one of seven daughters. Her father, William Tyssen-Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst of Hackney, later became a Member of Parliament.
Alicia's mother, Margaret Susan Mitford, loved gardening. She gave Alicia her own small garden plot when she was just ten years old. This helped Alicia develop a passion for plants. Her father also had a huge library, which sparked Alicia's interest in history.
In 1898, Alicia married Evelyn Cecil. She then started publishing books under the name Mrs. Evelyn Cecil. They had three children together. Her husband, Evelyn, was also a Member of Parliament. He was later given the title Baron Rockley. This meant Alicia became known as Lady Rockley of Lytchett Heath. She also published books using this name.
Alicia Amherst passed away in Poole in 1941.
Writing About Gardens
Alicia Amherst became famous for her first book, The History of Gardening in England. It was published in 1895 under the name Alicia M. T. Amherst. This book was a huge and instant success. The publisher wanted a second edition very quickly. Alicia was paid ten times more for the second edition than for the first.
At that time, most gardening books were simply guides on how to garden. Alicia was the first writer to deeply research the history of English gardens. She looked much further back in time than anyone else. Her work helped start a new trend of writing about garden history. Other famous books like English Pleasure Gardens and A History of Garden Art followed hers.
Alicia's book was very detailed and well-researched. It had many footnotes and a long list of sources. Because of this, The History of Gardening in England became the most important book in its field. Historians still find it valuable today.
Alicia wrote several other books. After she became a mother, she wrote two books especially for children: Children's Gardens (1902) and Children and Gardens (1908). Her book London Parks and Gardens (1907) was the first serious study of London's public green spaces.
She also wrote many scholarly articles about garden history. In her own garden, she grew unusual plants. She also collected plant samples during her trips abroad for Kew Gardens, a famous botanical research center.
Books by Alicia Amherst
- The History of Gardening in England (1896, as Alicia M. T. Amherst)
- Children's Gardens (1902, as the Hon'ble Mrs. Evelyn Cecil)
- London Parks and Gardens (1907, as the Hon'ble Mrs. Evelyn Cecil; with pictures by Lady Victoria Manners)
- Children and Gardens (1908)
- Wild Flowers of the Great Dominions of the British Empire (Macmillan, 1935, as the Lady Rockley)
- Some Canadian Wildflowers: Being the First Part of Wild Flowers of the Great Dominions of the British Empire (1937, as Lady Rockley)
- Historic Gardens of England (1938, as Mrs. Evelyn Cecil)
Other Plant Activities
Alicia traveled a lot to collect plants. Her trips included Mozambique and South Africa in 1899. She also visited Rhodesia in 1900, and Ceylon, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada in 1927.
During this time, many gardening schools were opening in England. Alicia strongly supported women who wanted to study and work in horticulture.
Alicia was also a talented artist. She drew plants and other subjects. Her husband's book, On the Eve of the War (1900), included some of her sketches and photographs.
She helped in a campaign to save the Chelsea Physic Garden. This is a historic garden in London that dates back to 1673. Alicia was part of its management committee. Today, the garden keeps her important historical papers.
Honours and Legacy
In 1918, Alicia Amherst was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is a special award given for good work. She was also the only woman to receive the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. This is an old London trade group for gardeners, started in 1605.
Two plants were named after her. One is a purple-flowered plant called Hebe 'Alicia Amherst'. The other is a plant species named Kaempferia ceciliae.
A book about her life, called The Well-Connected Gardener: A Biography of Alicia Amherst, Founder of Garden History, was published in 2010.
