Babbage, Benjamin Herschel   (1815 - 1878)

Collected north of Mt Searle and to Blanchewater, South Australia, in 1856.  In 1858 he led an expedition in South Australia towards Lake Torrens, exploring the eastern shores of Lake Gairdner, Lake Maefarlane, Lake Hart and Island Lagoon.  The botanist on the latter expedition was J.F.A.D.Herrgott. Specimens from both expeditions are in Kew (K) and Melbourne (MEL).

Source: Extracted from: A.E.Orchard (1999) A History of Systematic Botany in Australia, in Flora of Australia Vol.1, 2nd ed., ABRS. [consult for source references]

Engineer, geologist, artist, vigneron, explorer. Arrived S.A. 27 Nov. 1851 to make geological & mineralogical survey. Built first railway in Adelaide. In 1856 explored northern Flinders Ranges & beyond towards L. Blanche, & in Feb. 1858, towards L. Torrens (L. Gairdner, L. Macfarlane, L. Hart, Island Lagoon) but relieved by P.E. Warburton in Nov. 1858; specimens on latter trip collected mainly by Hergott.

Provided some of first specimens for herbarium at Botanic Garden in Adelaide. Collected at Venus & Streaky Bays, 1865. Under C.Todd surveyed Overland Telegraph Line 1870-72, collecting near Mt Margaret. Established vineyard at St Marys, near Adelaide.

Specimens at AD, K, MEL, PERTH (2).

Commemorated in Babbagia, Mt Babbage.

Portrait: Voices 3 (1): 83 (1993); Austral. Encyl. 6th edn 1: 369 (1996).

Source: George, A.S. (2009) Australian Botanist's Companion, Four Gables Press, WA. [consult for source references]

Collecting localities for 'Babbage, B.H.' from AVH (2021)

Data from 120 specimens