science and colonial expansion: the role of the British Royal Botanic Gardens

Abstract

The political implications of scientific research are explored through an analysis of the botanic garden as an institution generating information about plants of economic value. Botanic gardens have contributed significantly to the colonial expansion of the West through active participation in the transfer of protected plants and their scientific development as plantation crops for the tropical colonies of the mother country. Cinchona, rubber, and sisal are prime examples.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1525/ae.1979.6.3.02a00030

Citations and references