Acc.9533 March 2011 Inventory Acc.9533 Sir George Taylor National Library of Scotland Manuscripts Division George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EW Tel: 0131-466 2812 Fax: 0131-466 2811 E-mail:
[email protected] © Trustees of the National Library of Scotland This collection consists of the correspondence and papers of Sir George Taylor, FRS, LLD, DSc, FRSE, FLS, UMH, (1904-1993), formerly Principal in the Air Ministry (1940-5), Deputy Keeper of Botany, British Museum (Natural History) (1945-50), Keeper of Botany, British Museum (Natural History) (1950-6), Director, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (1956-71) and Director of the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust (1970-89). Sir George was knighted in 1962. Sir George participated in three major botanical expeditions (to South Africa, 1927-8, East Africa, 1934-5, and Tibet and Bhutan, 1938) which are illustrated in letters, photographs and diaries. Correspondence of special interest includes letters from botanical explorers Frank and Jean KingdonWard, George and Betty Sherriff and Frank Ludlow (mostly from Burma, Tibet and Bhutan) and from King Gustav of Sweden and Stanley Smith (the latter discussing the possible foundation of a Horticultural Trust). Sir George was also in regular contact with, amongst others, Sir William Wright- Smith (Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh), (1922-56), Professor Harold Fletcher (Regius Keeper of the RBG, Edinburgh), (1958-70), the 2nd and 3rd Barons Aberconway, Sir Eric Savill (Director of the Gardens, Windsor Great Park) (1959-70), Sir Edward Salisbury (Director, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew), (1943-56)) and various officials connected with Herbaria, Botanical Gardens, Museums, Universities etc, in many different countries.