Robert Boswell of Auchinleck

The annual Ayrshire meeting of the Boswell Society took place on Saturday 8 October 2022 at Caprington Castle, near Kilmarnock, the home of William Cuninghame of Caprington. After a most enjoyable dinner served in the Dining Room, the members were entertained with a talk on Dr William Roxburgh given by Robert Boswell of Auchinleck.

William Roxburgh (1751–1815) was born in Ayrshire and spent much of his life in India, where he was superintendent of the Calcutta Botanic Garden. He was instrumental in researching many examples of botany, and gave the Frankincense plant the genus name Boswellia. It was interesting to note that this was named in honour of Dr John Boswell, ancestor of both William Cuninghame and Robert Boswell.

Watercolour illustration of Boswellia, commissioned by 
William Roxburgh (RBG Kew collection).

William Roxburgh: The Founding Father of Indian Botany (RBGE)