Because there is such a rich heritage of medieval and Early Modern architecture in Norwich, it is easy to overlook its Georgian treasures. Here is one such - nos. 29 and 31 Surrey Street. Of particular interest to me is number 29 (on the right-hand side of the shot). This was the home of Sir James Edward Smith, botanist and founder of the Linnaean Society of London in 1788. Smith purchased the specimens collected by pioneering Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, following his death in 1784. When he returned to live in this Norwich residence in 1798 he brought with him the entire Linnaean Collection, which was housed here. To think, that a botanical collection of international quality and significance once lived along this street - wow!
If I had a time machine and could choose a person and place to visit in the city’s history, a visit here c1800 would be a contender. I have included a portrait of Sir James (holding an illustrated botanical tome) and a photo of the title page of a three volume set on ‘English Flora’ published by Smith in 1824 (four years before his death) which - being interested in just about everything, and being a book collector - I acquired some time ago (see below).
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