Sir John St Aubyn's herbarium

A pressed willow sample Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery is undertaking a large project on a collection previously owned by Sir John St Aubyn (1758 to 1839), the 5th Baronet.

The City Museum and Art Gallery has secured a grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to enable the museum’s natural history department to conduct a variety of work on his herbarium and mineral collection. Sir John St Aubyn's herbarium provides a fascinating glimpse into the botanical world in the 18th century. It contains not only plants that have been collected locally, but also specimens that have been collected from early plant nurseries and important gardens.

As part of the project, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery is trying to locate other herbarium specimens from Sir John’s collection that he may have given to friends or exchanged with other collectors. It hopes to locate as many specimens as possible so that Sir John’s collection is fully documented.

If you think you may have a St Aubyn specimen or you have any information about the history of this fascinating collection, contact Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery on 01752 304765, e-mail st.aubyn@plymouth.gov.uk or visit the website.