Anne Mary Perceval

Anne Mary Perceval, born on January fourth, 1790, was a distinguished English botanist and author who made significant contributions to the field of botany in Lower Canada from 1810 to 1828. The daughter of Sir Charles Flower, who served as Lord Mayor of London, she moved to Quebec City in 1810 when her husband was appointed customs collector.

In 1815, Anne and her husband acquired Spencer Wood, where she cultivated an important garden dedicated to native plants. Her passion for botany led her to identify approximately one hundred and fifty species from her collection, which she shared with the renowned botanist William Jackson Hooker. His work, Flora boreali-americana, featured many of her findings, highlighting her impact on the botanical community.

Anne's dedication to botany extended beyond her garden; she maintained correspondence with fellow botanist John Torrey, further enriching her knowledge and contributions to the field. The plants she collected are preserved in various natural history collections across Canada and the United States, as well as in prestigious institutions in Paris and London.