Elizabeth Blackwell 1707-1758

L.19.19. A curious herbal (1737–1739)

The publication of A Curious Herbal came about under curious circumstances. Elizabeth Blackwell was the daughter of a Scottish merchant and she married her cousin Alexander whose life would be marked by shady business ventures and tragedy. Alexander practised as a physician without formal qualifications forcing the couple to flee to London where he set up a printing house but without completing the mandatory apprenticeship. For this offence he was committed to debtors’ prison.

Facing destitution Elizabeth embarked on a project to restore the family's fortunes. Having identified the need for an up to date herbal which incorporated discoveries from North and South America she enlisted the support of the Society of Apothecaries and took rooms next to the Chelsea Physic Garden where she could draw the plants from life. Working alone it took two years to draw, engrave and hand colour over 500 illustrations. The success of the Herbal was assured by the quality of her illustrations and her shrewd negotiation with booksellers. Her husband was released from prison but eventually abandoned his family and travelled to Sweden where he was executed for conspiracy against the Crown Prince although Elizabeth continued to support him until his death.