Sydenham Edwards was born the small town of Brynbuga (Usk in English) in southeast Wales in 1768. His father was a schoolteacher and church organist. By the time he was only 10 or 11, he began copying botanical illustrations.
By happenstance, a friend of William Curtis visited the area and was impressed by the boy’s work. After seeing some examples, Curtis invited Edwards to London to train his obvious skill. They became close friends, typically going together on botanical collecting trips. Edwards became the principal artist for The Botanical Magazine and of the over 1,700 illustrations in the first 28 years of publication, he created all but 75.
He stayed for 16 years after William Curtis died, but after a disagreement with the new editor, began his own publication, The Botanical Register, in 1815. Although he only lived another four years, the publication always had his name associated with it for its run of more than three decades. It is noteworthy for lengthy descriptions, in English and Latin, and information about origins of the plant used as the model.
Edwards was prolific artist and had wide range of interests, including as a noted illustrator of birds, several works being exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts. In the January 2024 issue of The Orchid Review, Clare Pritchard says his illustrations “have aesthetic appeal without sacrificing botanical value, bringing plants to life from the page.” Other than plants, he is best known today for his paintings of dogs. His book Cynographia Britannica about the breeds of dogs at the time, is rare and highly valued.
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on September 15, 2025
Excerpted from the Fall 2025 issue of the Journal of the Book Club of Washington.