For 20 years, Rebecca Alexander was a mainstay of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library staff. Rebecca retired at the end of June 2025, but 
before she went, I asked about her favorite books in the Miller Library collection. I was not surprised that the list of books “that have made a lasting impression” she provided was extensive and quite varied. Many are in her personal collection.
Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) was a well-known English artist who painted a wide scope of subjects, but Rebecca’s favorites of his works are of gardens. An overview of these works is found in “Stanley Spencer and the English Garden,” edited by Steven Parissien.
Of present-day artist Tessa Newcomb, Rebecca says her “use of color and space is reminiscent of Stanley Spencer, but her style is looser and more dynamic.”
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025
Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin