Irish scholar of horticulture O'Neill (1915-2008), and McLean (botany, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia) present a biography of Collinson (1694-1768), a London draper by trade but passionate gardener and naturalist by avocation. He was instrumental in disseminating botanical information back and forth across the Atlantic, as well as encouraging other scientific pursuits, among them Benjamin Franklin's experimentation with electricity. In particular, he helped introduce plants from the New World into English gardens and the larger landscape. The topics include a Quaker business background, British-based botanists and horticulturalists, colonial friends and correspondents, European friends and naturalists, and his own gardens at Peckham and Mill Hill. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
