Obituaries Australia

John Bailey, n.d.

State Library of Queensland, 108059

We regret to announce the death of Mr. John Bailey, the well-known horticulturist, who died at the Adelaide Hospital on Wednesday, the 25th May, in the 63rd year of his age. He was born at Hackney, near London, in 1801. When he was between 14 and 15 he went to learn his business at the celebrated nursery of Messrs. Conrad, Lodges, and Sons, where he remained upwards of 22 years, during which time he became acquainted with many celebrated travellers and the principal botanists of Europe, among whom were Messrs. A. B. Lambert, M. B. Word, and the eccentric Thomas Wheeler, the botanical lecturer, through whose kindness he was privileged to attend his soirees once a week, meeting with scientific men from all parts of the world. His knowledge of plants was very extensive, and in 1837 he was appointed as one of the party to go out to New Zealand with Col. Campbell. Mr. Bailey arrived in this colony in 1839, and was afterwards appointed Government Botanist. His gardens, so well known as the Hackney Nursery, were planted by himself. He visited England a few years ago, and never enjoyed good health after his return to the colony. His complaint—Bright's disease of the kidneys —was from the first incurable, and he has borne his great sufferings with Christian fortitude and resignation.