Joseph Dalton Hooker, c. 1860

Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker OM GCSI CB MD FRS (1817-1911), botanist, explorer and medical doctor, visited Australia as a member of James Clark Ross's Antarctic expedition of 1839 to 1843. Hooker had gained his medical degree from the University of Glasgow in 1839 and was appointed to the Ross expedition as its naturalist and assistant surgeon. The expedition's two ships, Erebus and Terror visited Van Diemen's Land twice and Port Jackson once in the course of their four-year journey. Hooker's botanical studies of the lands he visited were published as The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage in three volumes: Flora Antarctica (1844-47), Flora Novae-Zelandiae (1853-55) and Flora Tasmaniae (1855-60). These works are considered landmarks in the study of the region's plants and Hooker's studies initiated the collection of numerous specimens for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He spent two years studying the vegetation of India, Nepal and Tibet and introduced to English gardens many species. Hooker was among the most eminent scientists of his day and was consulted by his friend Charles Darwin as he developed his theory of natural selection. Hooker succeeded his father as Director of the Kew Gardens in 1865 and remained in this role until his retirement.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2012