Atkinson, Caroline Louisa Waring   (1834 - 1872)

Born in Oldbury, Sutton Forest, New South Wales, on 25 February 1834, died in Swanton, near Oldbury, New South Wales, on 28 April 1872.

Miss Atkinson spent most of her life at Kurrajong Heights in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. She became well-informed on the Australian flora and collected extensively for the Rev. Dr W. Woolls (q.v.) and F. Mueller (q.v.). Her maiden name is commemorated in the loranthaceous genus Atkinsonia, whilst both her maiden and married names have been given to species.

She was regarded as an excellent botanical artist and was also interested in zoology, as well as being a very competent taxidermist. In addition to the above she was one of the earlier writers of Australian fiction, but her botanical work is regarded as far more important. She married James Snowden Calvert in 1870.

Collected extensively around Kurrajong and Berrima, New South Wales, and a colleague of William Woolls.  Many of her specimens were sent to F.Mueller, and are now to be found in Melbourne (MEL) (some also in JE). 

Source: Hall, N. (1978) Botanists of the Eucalypts. CSIRO, Melbourne.
A.E.Orchard (1999) A History of Systematic Botany in Australia, in Flora of Australia Vol.1, 2nd ed., ABRS. [consult for source references]

Portrait Photo: Maiden, J.H. (1908) Records of Australian botanists- (a) General, (b) New South Wales. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales for 1908. Plate XIV

Lived most of her life at Kurrajong Heights, Blue Mtns, N.S.W., collecting plants (including lichens) there & around Berrima for W.Woolls & F.Mueller. Collected around property 'Rosebrook' on the Monaro, Mar. 1871 (specimens labelled 'Manero', Manaro'). Author of novels, newspaper articles; botanical & zoological artist; taxidermist. Wrote several botanical works. Married J.S.Calvert, 11 Mar. 1869. Specimens at K, MEL, NSW. Commemorated in Atkinsonia, Epacris, Erechtites, Helipterum, Pomaderris, Xanthosia.
Portrait: Maiden (1908b) pi. XIV; Swann (1929) p. 15; Gilbert (1985) p. 76; Clarke (1990) frontispiece, 75, 154, 224.

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

Collecting localities for 'Atkinson, C.L.W.' from AVH (2021)

Data from 638 specimens