THE FLORA PROJECT

Who was Anne Pratt?

“…the Author rejoices in contributing in any way to… the diffusion of… the love of Nature as a means of mental improvement and happiness”. - From the preface of ‘Wild Flowers, Volume II’ by Anne Pratt

Anne Pratt was a Victorian botanical illustrator and writer. Born in Strood in December 1806, she spent her early years living in Chatham and attending school at Eastgate House, Rochester.

Anne suffered from poor health meaning she spent much of her time confined indoors. After showing a talent for drawing she was taught botany by Scottish friend, Dr Dods, her elder sister collecting specimens on her behalf. Her first book, ‘Flowers and their Associations’ was published in 1828 when Anne was twenty-two years old. Using illustration and the written word Anne’s books spread botanical knowledge and a love of nature to a much wider audience. She went on to publish around twenty books in her lifetime, copies of which were personally requested by Queen Victoria.

Although Anne left Chatham in 1846, an announcement of her death in 1893 was displayed in the shop window of Richard F. Brain, Boots and Shoes made and repaired etc, located at 194 - 196 High Street, Chatham. Upon her death she was described by The Times as, “this distinguished botanist… A devoted student of nature … in all her researches, she was also gifted as an artist”.