Women Who Shaped Garden History
Alicia Amherst wrote the first comprehensive scholarly history of English gardening. Her A History of Gardening in England (1895) traced the development of English gardens from the Roman period to the Victorian era and remains a foundational text in the field.
Amherst (later known by her married name, Cecil) was a historian, gardener, and botanical collector. She researched her history of gardening from primary sources — household accounts, letters, estate records, and early printed books — rather than relying on secondary works. The result was a meticulously documented account that established garden history as a legitimate field of scholarly inquiry.
Amherst was also a practical gardener who served on the council of the Royal Horticultural Society. She maintained gardens at her family estate and was knowledgeable about plant cultivation. Her book London Parks and Gardens (1907) documented the history of public green spaces in the capital. She also contributed to the preservation of historic garden sites and the recognition of gardens as part of England's cultural heritage.