Garden History: Botanic Gardens: A Story of Beauty, Corruption, Medicine and Pirates

Course overview

Although botanical gardens were known in the ancient world, they really became features in the western European landscape in the Middle Ages. Growing from medicinal herb gardens, they developed rapidly in the Renaissance to become significant status symbols and centres for extending scientific knowledge.

But the story of botanical gardens is also full of intrigue, duplicity, and one-upmanship, with fierce competition between gardeners, plant hunters, and their patrons to find new species as western empires grew and the potential economic benefits of many plants became clear.

Whether you enjoy gardening or visiting gardens, or are fascinated by history, art history, or the Renaissance world, join us on this extraordinary exploration into the birth of modern gardening.

We will explore diverse historical topics, from ancient Egyptian botany, Chinese gardens, Renaissance gardens in Italy, Portuguese explorations, to Enlightenment botanists, all within their cultural and historical contexts.

Who is this course for?

This is an adult education course open to everyone. No previous experience is necessary.

Sessions are interactive and inclusive, engaging a wide range of interests and backgrounds, and encourage lively discussion and participation.

Reading material or special equipment needed (if any)

None specified.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the content of this course please contact the tutor, Deborah Trentham, at debs@thegardenhistorians.co.uk 

If you have any questions about enrolment please contact the Imperial after:hours Administrator, Christian Jacobi, at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class recordings

These classes are not recorded.

Imperial certificates

There are no examinations or assessments for this course. However, attendance can lead to the award of an Imperial attendance certificate (T&Cs apply).