Celebrate National Poetry Month by viewing this work of 2400 rhyming couplets by Erasmus.

Make an appointment to view in person with curator damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or by calling 319-335-9154.

ERASMUS DARWIN (1731-1802) The botanic garden; A poem, in two parts. Part I. Containing The economy of vegetation. Part II. The loves of the plants.  Printed for J. Johnson 1791 Part I, [2nd ed.]; Part II, 3rd ed. Pt. I: xii, 214, 126 [2] pp., 10 plates (1 fold. (front.)); Pt. II: [4] ix, 197 pp., 10 plates (front.). 27.3 cm.

 

One of Darwin’s many interests was botany and he established a small botanic garden at his residence in Lichfield both for the study of plants and to grow his own medicinal herbs. The present poetic work resulted from this interest and brought him immediate fame as a poet. The economy of vegetation first appeared in 1791 and was in reality an introduction to and course of instruction in a broad range of scientific and technological subjects. Its 2400 lines of rhyming couplets are explained in a lengthy series of explanatory footnotes. The loves of the plants was published first in 1789, and presented an allegorical account of the Linnean system of plant classification and explained in verse how the various classes of plants are fertilized.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Damien Ihrig at damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu or 319-335-9154.