The life and botany of Edward Macarthur Bowman (1826–1872)

Abstract

Edward Macarthur Bowman was one of a select group of pioneer settlers in Queensland who had a strong scientific interest in native plants, and attempted to make a living from collecting plant specimens and seeds. In this he was unsuccessful, but recently located letters and newspaper articles, transcribed here for the first time, give an insight into Bowman’s motivations, his connections to other collectors and botanists, and also the remarkably successful botanical exploring excursions that he was able to make despite his limited means.