Walter Elias Broadway (1863-1935) was a British-born Trinidadian botanist and horticulturist who is best known as one of the most prolific collectors of the flora of Trinidad and Tobago.[1]

Early life

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Broadway was born in Exbury, in Hampshire (then Southampton), in England, the first of four children born to Elias and Lucy Ann Broadway. He was employed as a gardener in Hampshire, and later in Devon, before being employed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In his four years at Kew he worked up from gardener to sub-foreman.

Professional career

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In 1887 John H. Hart was appointed Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Port of Spain, Trinidad.[2] Hart created the position of Assistant Superintendent, and Broadway was appointed to the position on the recommendation of William Turner Thiselton-Dyer, Director of Kew Gardens.[1]

In Trinidad, Broadway collected plants and sent specimens to experts at the British Museum and Kew for identification. His direct correspondence with these experts brought him into conflict with his supervisor. Hart insisted that collections destined for these experts needed his approval before they could be mailed.

References

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  1. ^ a b Baksh-Comeau, Yasmin S. "Walter Elias Broadway. Botanist/Naturalist Extraordinaire". World, Journal of The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club. 1991–1992: 14–17.
  2. ^ "Historical Beginnings". The National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago. Retrieved 23 March 2013.