Hepatics and mosses from the herbarium of the Countess of Aylesford.
Published / Created:
Great Packington, Warwickshire, England, circa 1790-1810.
Physical Description:
61 sheets (in 1 box) ; 30 x 25 x 10 cm
Collection:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Archives & Manuscripts
Notes:
Lady Louisa Thynne, an avid collector of natural history specimens, and natural history painter, was born on 25 March 1760, the daughter of Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath and Lady Elizabeth Cavendish-Bentinck. She married Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford on 18 November 1781, and died on 28 December 1832 at age 72. As a result of her marriage, Lady Louisa Thynne was styled as Countess of Aylesford. They lived at Great Packington in Warwickshire. The Natural History Museum has a Collection of Drawings of Cryptogamous Plants Made for the Countess of Aylesford. In 1834 her extensive collection of minerals passed to the mineral dealer Henry Heuland, from whom the Trustees of the Museum purchased many fine specimens. Her portrait was painted by Joshua Reynolds, and a mezzotint engraving is present in the National Portrait Gallery. The Aylesford Library was sold by Christies in 1888, and in 1971 a collection of lichen drawings appeared and was subsequently sold at Sotheby's.
Subject Terms:
Finch, Louisa, Countess of Aylesford, 1760–1832. | Botanical specimens -- Collection and preservation -- Great Britain. | Botanical specimens -- Great Britain -- Specimens. | Liverworts -- Collection and preservation -- Great Britain. | Liverworts -- Great Britain -- Specimens. | Mosses -- Great Britain -- Specimens. | Mosses -- Collection and preservation -- Great Britain. | Women in natural history.