John Parkinson Royal Herbalist

628. The place of Royal Herbalist was created by James I., and L'Obel was the first that filled it. Charles I. appointed Parkinson to a similar situation; and Parkinson, probably in gratitude for the royal patronage, dedicated his Paradisus to Queen Henrietta Maria. Queen Mary, wife of William III., appointed, as royal herbalist, Plukenet, 'a man distinguished for botanical knowledge.' Under this botanist's directions, collectors were despatched to the Indies in search of plants.