Robert Brown
(1773-1858), BotanistEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 9 portraits
Born in Montrose, Scotland, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. In 1800 he took the position of naturalist on board The Investigator, which was departing on a voyage to chart the coast of Australia. He was to oversee the collecting of animals, rocks, and plants. Returning in 1805, he spent the next five years working on the material he had gathered. He published numerous species descriptions; in Western Australia alone he is credited with the naming of over a thousand species. He became the first Keeper of the Botanical Department of the British Museum in 1837, remaining until his death.
by William Brockedon
black and red chalk, 1849
NPG 2515(100)
by Maull & Polyblank
albumen print, arched top, 1855
NPG P120(41)
Men of Science Living in 1807-8
by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075
Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a
Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b
by Charles Fox, after Henry William Pickersgill
line engraving, published 1837
NPG D32220
by Charles Fox, after Henry William Pickersgill
line engraving, published 1837
NPG D32221
by Thomas Herbert Maguire
lithograph, 1850
NPG D32222
by Thomas Herbert Maguire
lithograph, 1850
NPG D32223
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.