William Saunders (botanist) facts for kids
William Saunders (1822–1900) was a very important person in American agriculture and gardening. He was a botanist (someone who studies plants), a nurseryman (grows and sells plants), a landscape gardener, and a landscape designer (plans outdoor spaces). He was also a horticulturist (expert in growing plants).
As the main plant expert in the U.S. government, he helped bring many new fruits and vegetables to American farms. He also helped start a special group called the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, which was a club for farmers and their families.
Starting the Grange
William Saunders was born in Saint Andrews, Scotland. He was one of the eight people who started the National Grange. He even became its first leader, called the "Master."
The other people who helped start the Grange were:
- Oliver Hudson Kelley
- Francis M. McDowell
- John Trimble
- Aaron B. Grosh
- John R. Thompson
- William M. Ireland
- Caroline A. Hall
Plant Science and Design Work
William Saunders was the very first botanist and landscape designer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before that, he was in charge of the Propagating Gardens there. In this role, he helped grow and develop hundreds of different plants, trees, and shrubs that are now found all over the United States.
He loved studying plants and was a skilled designer. He designed the cemetery at Gettysburg, a famous place where many soldiers are buried. President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address speech to dedicate this cemetery. Saunders also designed the park system in Washington, D.C., and helped plant 80,000 trees in the city!
One of William Saunders's most important contributions was helping to bring the seedless Navel Orange to California. This was a huge deal for the state's farming industry.
He sent three special orange trees from Bahia, Brazil to his friend, a farmer named Eliza Tibbets, in Riverside County, Southern California. These three trees were the start of California's very successful citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit) industry in the 20th century. Today, one of the two original trees that survived can still be seen in the Mission Inn courtyard in downtown Riverside.
See also
In Spanish: William Saunders para niños
