Paxton was
a remarkable individual who worked his way up from a
position of gardener to sufficient prominence to receive
a knighthood from the king.*
Paxton became superintendent of the gardens of the
Duke of Devonshire who was president of the Royal
Horticultural Society at the time. He designed and
erected an extensive hothouse which set the style for
ranges erected on estates for the cultivation of
exotic plants.
With Lindley he founded the Gardeners' Chronicle in
1841, which still is a flourishing magazine and
probably the best known of all weekly horticultural
journals today. Along with Lindley he helped to revive
Kew Gardens near the middle of the 19th Century. He
became well known as the Editor of the Magazine of
Botany (begun in 1834 and continued through
sixteen editions). He also was the author of the
Horticultural Register (1831-1836) and
Practical Treatise on the Culture of the Dahlia
(1838). He helped to develop a movement which changed
the whole gardening picture in England and
consequently the world.
He was an excellent business man and for a time was
a member of Parliament. He devised plants for a massive
glass-house structure which was put into operation with
the building of Crystal Palace in the suburbs of London.
This massive glass house was razed less than 25 years
ago. He was also well known because of his relationship
with the Duke of Devonshire and his magnificent estate
at Chatsworth, still one of the most famous if not the
most famous of remaining English royal estates.**
*Professor Howlett's original notes
indicate that Sir Joseph Paxton was knighted by the
"King". Upon review, it has been confirmed
that Sir Joseph Paxton was knighted by Queen Victoria.
There was no king in England at that time. - contribution
by Judith M. Taylor
**Professor Howlett's original notes
indicate that Chatsworth is a royal estate. Upon review,
it has been confirmed that the Dukes of Devonshire are
not royal dukes and, therefore, Chatsworth is not a
royal estate. - contribution by Judith M. Taylor
