Adamson, Frederick M. (1836 - 1858)

Born Glasgow, Scotland, ?; fl. 1836-1858

A “Catalogue of Some of the Naturalized Plants of the Australian Colonies (chiefly compiled from the Melbourne collections and notes of F. Adamson. Esq.)" Mr. Adamson's notes refer to Melbourne. Hooker further states that he “formed very extensive and excellent collections there between the years 1840 and 1855, and these have all been sent to Sir W. Hooker." .

He was a member of the Philosophical Society of Victoria, in 1855, and his address was given as 111 Little Lonsdale street west, but I can find no further particulars concerning him.

Source: Maiden, J.H. (1908). Records of Victorian Botanists. Victorian Naturalist 25:101-117

Apparently he "formed very extensive and excellent collections" (according to Hooker) at Melbourne between 1840 and 1855, was our first metropolitan botanist but all his specimens went to Kew and are practically unknown to Australian workers.

Source: Willis, J.H. (1949) Botanical pioneers in Victoria - III. Victorian Naturalist 66:123-128

Settler in Melbourne, Vic. Collected widely around Melbourne 1839-56, esp. weeds; also seaweeds; a type of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, Newfield, Melbourne, May 1856. Specimens at BM, E, K (Plant Lists 1: 269-274), MANCH. Label may give initials only. May have collected with J.G.Robertson q.v. Supplied notes on naturalised plants for Hooker (1859). Commemorated in Lachnagrostis.

Source: George, A.S. (2009) Australian Botanist's Companion, Four Gables Press, WA