Prince, William Robert–(1795-1869)–Flushing
Landing, New York– –(Linnaean Botanic Garden and Nursery)–was born November
6, 1795. He was the fourth proprietor of his family’s nursery.
He was a botanist and plant explorer as well as a nurseryman. As
a young man he went on plant-collecting expeditions in the eastern states,
and in 1849 and 1850 he collected plants in California. He devoted
his life to grape culture and the improvement and distribution of native
grapes. William Robert, along with his father, published A Treatise
on the Vine (the first good book on viticulture in America) in 1830;
A Pomological Manual in 1831 (contained full and accurate descriptions
of the known varieties of all hardy tree fruits, except the apple); and
Manual of Roses in 1846 (the first good book printed on the rose
in America). He died on March 28, 1869.
Sources: Woodburn2; Bailey;
CHSJ-Apr. 1966; Art
Gar; AN; Hedrick;
VanRav