Samuel Dickenson facts for kids
Samuel Dickenson (born 1733 – died May 15, 1823) was an English church leader and a scientist who studied plants. He lived a long life, passing away at 90 years old.
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Who Was Samuel Dickenson?
Samuel Dickenson was known for two main things. First, he was a clergyman, which means he was a leader in the Church of England. He worked at St. Mary's Church in a place called Blymhill. Second, he was a botanist, someone who studies plants. He loved learning about different kinds of plants.
His Early Life and Education
Samuel Dickenson went to St John's College at the University of Cambridge. This is a very old and famous university in England. While he was there, he studied alongside another important person named Erasmus Darwin. Erasmus Darwin was the grandfather of the famous naturalist Charles Robert Darwin.
A Life in the Church
Samuel Dickenson followed in his father's footsteps. His father, John Dickenson, was also a church leader at St. Mary's Church in Blymhill. Samuel took over this role on January 9, 1777. He stayed as the Rector (the main priest) of this church for a very long time, until he died in 1823. That's 46 years of service!
His Work as a Botanist
Besides his church duties, Samuel Dickenson was very interested in plants. He helped write different books about plants and history. He also taught young students. Two of his students became quite well-known:
- Thomas Beddoes: A doctor and chemist.
- Charles Darwin: This Charles Darwin was the uncle of the much more famous Charles Robert Darwin, who developed the theory of evolution.
Samuel Dickenson even went on a trip to France with the 8-year-old Charles Darwin (the uncle). They traveled together between October 1766 and March 1767. During this trip, they collected many different plants. This shows how much he loved studying nature.
Remembering Samuel Dickenson
After Samuel Dickenson passed away, a special memorial was placed in St. Mary's Church. The words on it describe him as a good person. It says he had many virtues (good qualities) and was very smart. People remembered him for being honest and living a simple, healthy life. He was seen as a truly sincere and religious person.
