Scottish Women - Elizabeth Blackwell - Amateur botanist and artist, about 1700-1758.

Although largely unknown today, Elizabeth Blackwell made a significant contribution to medical knowledge and to the art of botanical illustration. Her multi-volume work, 'A curious herbal',

published in the 1730s, was an invaluable resource for doctors and apothecaries in the 18th century and beyond.

'A curious herbal' is one of the earliest botanical books to have been compiled by a woman.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Aberdeen to the wealthy Blachrie family in about 1700. She received a good education which almost certainly included art, music, and languages.

Elizabeth married her second cousin, Alexander Blackwell who, at that time, was training to be a

doctor. The couple moved to London, where Alexander abandoned his medical career and instead set up as a printer. This business venture was short-lived, and Alexander soon fell in to debt and spent two years in Highgate Prison.

To support her family, Elizabeth was forced to

find work. Described as an 'ingenious lady', she started work on an illustrated herbal. This made good use of her artistic and observational skills, and her interest in botany.

Elizabeth Blackwell researched and sketched plant specimens in the Chelsea Physic Garden, and consulted with physicians and botanists. Her work focused mainly on plants and medicinal herbs from North America.

The creation of the herbal took several years, and was a heroic task. Elizabeth was responsible for sketching, engraving, and hand colouring all of the illustrations, as well as being personally involved in the business of publishing and marketing the book.

The final work

contained 500 illustrations which were published in 125 weekly instalments from 1736-39. The book was an instant success, and the profits helped save the family from ruin.

A herbal contains names and descriptions of medicinal plants, with information about how they can be

used to treat different ailments.

'A curious herbal' became known across Europe. An enlarged version called 'Herbarium Blackwellianum' was published in Nuremburg. Carl Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist, was aware of Elizabeth's work and gave her the title

of 'Botanica Blackwellia'.

Sadly, following his release from prison, Alexander Blackwell became involved in dubious political activity in Sweden, and was later executed for treason.

Elizabeth Blackwell died in 1758 and is buried in the churchyard at Chelsea Old Church.

sources - The Excellent Doctor Blackwell: The Life of the First Woman Physician.
NRS/NLS

Footnote -

Alexander Blackwell arrived in Sweden in 1742 and carried on with agricultural experiments he had started when in Aberdeen. These included the breeding of horses and sheep, and dairy management. His achievements were recognised, and he was appointed court physician to

Frederick I of Sweden. Blackwell attempted to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden. As Great Britain had no ambassador in Sweden, he contacted a Minister in Denmark. On circumstantial evidence he was accused of conspiracy against the Crown

Prince. He was tried and sentenced to be decapitated. He remained in good spirits to the last - at the block, having laid his head wrong, he remarked that since it was his first beheading, he lacked experience and needed instruction. On 9 August 1747 he was

executed as his wife was leaving London to join him.