Rae, Frederick James   (1883 - 1941)

Born in 1883 at Blackwood, Victoria; died 18 September at Botanic Gardens, South Yarra, Vict.

He was educated at the University of Melbourne where he completed several degrees, including a Bachelor of Agricultural Science.

He served with the AIF (1915-18), posted to France, and reached the rank of Lieutenant, but apparently suffered post traumatic stress disorder for many years.

He became Principal of the School of Primary Agriculture and Horticulture, Burnley, from 1921 to 1925.

He is best remembered as Government Botanist and Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, a position he held from 1926 until his death.

During his directorship Rae made significant improvements to the Gardens, including the building of a new Herbarium and the landscaping of the Huntingfield Lawn.

He tooka keen interest in the development and improvement of private gardens, and he was often called upon to serve as a judge in garden and horticultural competitions.

Source: Extracted from:
The Ryerson Index: RAE Frederick James
Aitken & Looker (eds.) 'The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens'., 2002, Melbourne
Adler, M. 'Burnley Gardens - Their Design and the People who loved them.' 2024, Lothian, Melbourne.
Portrait Photo: Adler book above.

Collecting localities for 'Rae, F.J.' from AVH (2024)

Data from 73 specimens