see also Botanical Society Gardens, Regent's Park - click here
Royal Botanic Society of London - This society was incorporated in 1839, by a
royal charter granted to the Duke of Norfolk, K.G., E.M.; the Duke of Richmond,
K.G.; the Earl of Albemarle; Lieut-Col. Rushbrooke; Philip Barnes, Esq.; and
James De Carle Sowerby, Esq., for the promotion of botany in all its branches,
and its application to medicine, arts, and manufactures, and also for the
formation of extensive botanical and ornamental gardens within the immediate
vicinity of the metropolis.
The ground now in the possession of the society forms the
inner circle of the Regent's Park, consits of about 18 acres, and is admirably
adapted to the purposes contemplated : preparations are making for the reception
of plants from all countries.
A great part of the garden has been laid out
ornamentally and planted, and it is proposed to erect conservatories,
hot-houses, and suitable buildings for a lecture-room, museum, library, studio,
or such other purposes as may be deemed requisite to attain the objects stated
in the charter.
Admission here is by tickets only, obtainable of a member of
the society.
Mogg's New Picture of London and Visitor's Guide to it Sights, 1844
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. Instituted 1835; Office 20, Bedford-street, Covent-garden. The Society possesses an extensive Herbarium, open to the inspection of members, and other botanists, every Friday evening from seven till ten o'clock. There is also a Lending Library for the members. Entrance fee, one guinea; annual subscription, one guinea.
Peter Cunningham, Hand-Book of London, 1850
ROYAL BOTANICAL SOCIETY (patroness, her Majesty the Queen) was established in 1839. Its beautiful gardens are situated in the Regent's Park, where they extend over eighteen acres, and boast of a sumptuous conservatory. The Society holds here four exhibitions every year, which attract to the Regent's Park the fashion, beauty, wealth, and aristocracy of the Metropolis. Entrance fee, 51. 5s. annual subscription, 2l. 2s., for which each Fellow of the Society can introduce two friends. Open daily, from 9 a.m. to dusk; on Sunday, from 2 p.m. to dusk.
Cruchley's London in 1865 : A Handbook for Strangers, 1865