The plant hunters - the expeditions of Captain Frank Kingdon Ward

Join us at the Society for a lecture by Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Kilmacurragh. This is a charity fund raising event for the The Tree Register.

Captain Frank Kingdon Ward (1885-1958) is regarded as the last of the great plant hunters. He first travelled on the Bedford Expedition to China in 1909, concluding his travels 47 years later on the summit of Mount Victoria in north-eastern Myanmar. During that time he discovered a plethora of new plant species, introducing blue poppies, Asiatic primulas, rhododendrons and other exotics to our gardens.

He was awarded the Society’s gold medal for geographical and botanical exploration in China and Tibet in 1930 and had many daring adventures while filling in the ‘blanks’ on maps in Asia. Since 1997 Seamus O’Brien has retraced his routes across China, Myanmar and north-east India.

This lecture is illustrated using many of Kingdon Ward’s original photographs, some of which will be on display before the lecture in the Foyle Reading Room, along with other special plant hunter items from the Society's archives which have never been displayed before.

Booking information

To book tickets, please visit Eventbrite.

This event has not been organised by the Society. If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking please contact the event organisers, The Tree Register via celenepickard1@gmail.com

Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. Key accessibility features include:

• Step-free access
• Accessible toilets
• Assistance dogs are welcome
• Hearing loop

For full details, please visit our accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org