William Curtis

William Curtis, Altonian and Botanist

Author: Jane Hurst
Publication date: 2019
Cost: £3.00 (+p&p if ordering by post)
Where to buy: Curtis Museum or by post - see How to Order page.

2019 was an anniversary of the death of Alton’s botanist - William Curtis. To celebrate his life, there was an exhibition at the Allen Gallery and this book was published. 

Born in Lenten Street, William started an apprenticeship to be a surgeon apothecary with his grandfather, John Curtis. During this time, William would have enjoyed the garden of the family home of no.4 High Street - which you can now visit as it is attached to the Allen Gallery. After his grandfather’s death, William moved up to London where he turned his attention to botany and created several Gardens. His great claim to fame is that he started the ‘Botanical Magazine’ which is still published today.