John Grimshaw Wilkinson spent his youth as a painter and grocer, but went blind at the age of 22
Wilkinson collected and carefully pressed an incredible array of individual leaves and shrubs in books and on specialised herbarium sheets – which are still in the care of the museum some 85 years after his death.
Audience development officer Sara Merritt led the event on Thursday night, where examples of Wilkinson’s botany were explored, along with those of other botanists with a link to the city including Irene Manton, a former professor at the University of Leeds, and Ida Roper.
“The collection spans more than 200 years, and it’s so well preserved that we have a record of how Leeds has changed over that time- we can even see pollution data that’s been locked into the plants.“Displaying pressed plants is incredibly difficult- they’re dry and extremely fragile so it’s very rare that we’re able to get them out.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The world class Leeds Museums and Galleries collection is such a source of pride for the city, and it’s been made possible by those whose dedication and passion have ensured the city’s rich history and heritage has been preserved so comprehensively.
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