Henry Chesterton
Encyclopedia
Joseph Henry Chesterton was a plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons to search for orchids in South America
with much success.
from Chile
stating that he had a passion for orchids and had gathered a substantial collection but needed advice on how to pack them in order to bring them back to England. Veitch replied immediately and arranged for Chesterton to meet one of his shipping agents in South America who would demonstrate the proper methods of packing the plants in order that they could be safely conveyed thousands of miles by sea, through various climates and greatly varying temperatures.
Nothing more was heard of Chesterton for some time, until, he arrived unannounced at Veitch Nurseries
' Chelsea, London
headquarters. Harry Veitch and John Heal, the head nurseryman, rushed to meet him and were presented with a collection of Orchids, "so carefully packed and well looked after, that they arrived in the best possible condition". Veitch immediately bought all of Chesterton's plants and offered him employment as a traveller in order to obtain more new finds as orchid mania
was reaching its height. After a period spent studying and working in the Veitch orchid houses he set off back to South America.
Chesterton was given specific instructions to locate and bring back to England "the much-talked-of and long-desired "scarlet Odontoglossum
" (Miltoniopsis vexillaria
) which several collectors, including David Bowman
, had previously located but had been unable to send live samples back to England, with samples often arriving at Chelsea "dead or in a dying condition". Chesterton eventually located the plant in the northern Cordillera Occidental in Colombia
. According to the account in Hortus Veitchii:
Chesterton continued to collect for Veitch over the next eight years and sent many new finds back to England, including some of the finest forms of Odontoglossum crispum
, one of which was named "Chestertonii" by Reichenbach
after its discoverer: some fine Masdevallia
s were also sent home, including the beautiful Masdevallia coccinea
Harryana, which Chesterton found growing in abundance in the high Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
in the Colombia
n Andes
.
Chesterton ended his employment with Veitch in 1878, and joined Veitch's principle rival Henry Sander
, who sent him back to search for the "lost orchid", Cattleya labiata
var. Vera. In 1879 he located Paphinia rugosa
var. Sanderiana, which he named after his current employer. On his final trip, he discovered a species of "Dracula orchid", Dracula chestertonii
, which was named after him.
He died at Puerto Berrío
, in the Colombia
n department
of Antioquia
on 26 January 1883. His obituary in the Shipping List of 30 January 1883 stated:
The mania for orchids was now at its peak and after Chesterton, orchid collectors became less discriminating and tended to strip out the native habitat to prevent rival collectors from finding anything. The region where Chesterton had re-discovered Miltoniopsis vexillaria
was later said to have been cleared as if by a forest fire. In 1887, the English traveller and orchid collector, Albert Millican, came across Chesterton's grave at Puerto Berrio, which he described in his memoirs as a
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
with much success.
James Veitch & Sons
Little is known of Chesterton's early life until early 1870, when, as a valet to a gentleman who was travelling through South America, he wrote to Harry VeitchHarry Veitch
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London...
from Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
stating that he had a passion for orchids and had gathered a substantial collection but needed advice on how to pack them in order to bring them back to England. Veitch replied immediately and arranged for Chesterton to meet one of his shipping agents in South America who would demonstrate the proper methods of packing the plants in order that they could be safely conveyed thousands of miles by sea, through various climates and greatly varying temperatures.
Nothing more was heard of Chesterton for some time, until, he arrived unannounced at Veitch Nurseries
Veitch Nurseries
The Veitch Nurseries were the largest group of family-run plant nurseries in Europe during the 19th century. Started by John Veitch sometime before 1808, the original nursery grew substantially over several decades and was eventually split into two separate businesses - based at Chelsea and...
' Chelsea, London
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
headquarters. Harry Veitch and John Heal, the head nurseryman, rushed to meet him and were presented with a collection of Orchids, "so carefully packed and well looked after, that they arrived in the best possible condition". Veitch immediately bought all of Chesterton's plants and offered him employment as a traveller in order to obtain more new finds as orchid mania
Orchidelirium
Orchidelirium is the name given to the Victorian era of flower madness when collecting and discovering Orchids reached extraordinarily high levels. Wealthy orchid fanatics of the 19th century sent explorers and collectors to almost every part of the world in search of new varieties of orchids....
was reaching its height. After a period spent studying and working in the Veitch orchid houses he set off back to South America.
Chesterton was given specific instructions to locate and bring back to England "the much-talked-of and long-desired "scarlet Odontoglossum
Odontoglossum
Odontoglossum, first named in 1816 by Karl Sigismund Kunth, is a genus of about 100 orchids. The scientific name is derived from the Greek words odon and glossa , referring to the two tooth-like calluses on the base of the lip...
" (Miltoniopsis vexillaria
Miltoniopsis vexillaria
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is a species of epiphytic orchid in the genus Miltoniopsis.-Description:The plants are pale green and about tall. Inflorescences are about long and carry up to four blossoms. The large, showy flowers are – across...
) which several collectors, including David Bowman
David Bowman (botanist)
David Bowman was a Scottish plant collector who, in 1866, was sent by James Veitch & Sons to collect in Brazil. The species Dieffenbachia bowmanii is named after him.-Career:...
, had previously located but had been unable to send live samples back to England, with samples often arriving at Chelsea "dead or in a dying condition". Chesterton eventually located the plant in the northern Cordillera Occidental in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. According to the account in Hortus Veitchii:
"Provided with but the scantiest information as to the native habitat, long kept secret and shrouded in mystery, Chesterton started, and not only succeeded in discovering the plant, but safely introduced it to Chelsea, where it flowered for the first time in 1873."
Chesterton continued to collect for Veitch over the next eight years and sent many new finds back to England, including some of the finest forms of Odontoglossum crispum
Odontoglossum crispum
Odontoglossum crispum is an epiphytic orchid from the genus Odontoglossum. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful orchid of all but is also one of the most difficult to grow.-Description:O...
, one of which was named "Chestertonii" by Reichenbach
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach
Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach was an ornithologist, botanist and the foremost German orchidologist of the 19th century...
after its discoverer: some fine Masdevallia
Masdevallia
Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family . There are over 500 species, grouped into several subgenera...
s were also sent home, including the beautiful Masdevallia coccinea
Masdevallia coccinea
Masdevallia civilis is a species of orchid occurring at high altitudes in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia.-Synonyms:*Masdevallia coccinea var. conchiflora H.J. Veitch*Masdevallia coccinea var. harryana H.J. Veitch...
Harryana, which Chesterton found growing in abundance in the high Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
Sierra Nevada del Cocuy
The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita o Guican National Natural Park (or Sierra Nevada de Chita or Sierra Nevada de Güicán, is a national park and a set of highlands within...
in the Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
.
Later career, death and epitaph
Henry Frederick Conrad Sander
Henry Frederick Conrad Sander was a German-born orchidologist and nurseryman who settled in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England and is noted for his monthly publication on orchids, Reichenbachia, named in honour of Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach of Hamburg, the great orchidologist.In 1867 Sander...
, who sent him back to search for the "lost orchid", Cattleya labiata
Cattleya labiata
Cattleya labiata Lindl., also known as the Crimson Cattleya or Ruby-lipped Cattleya, is the type species of Cattleya, discovered in 1818 in Brazil. The genus was named in honor of Sir William Cattley, a prominent British horticulturist....
var. Vera. In 1879 he located Paphinia rugosa
Paphinia rugosa
Paphinia rugosa is a species of orchid endemic to Colombia.-About:The classification of this orchid species was published by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in Linnaea; Ein Journal für die Botanik in ihrem ganzen Umfange, xli. 110, 1877 - Berlin, Germany. This species is found in Colombia, at an...
var. Sanderiana, which he named after his current employer. On his final trip, he discovered a species of "Dracula orchid", Dracula chestertonii
Dracula chestertonii
Dracula chestertonii, commonly known as the Frog's Skin, is a species of orchid.It was named in honour of the collector Henry Chesterton who discovered this species.-References:...
, which was named after him.
He died at Puerto Berrío
Puerto Berrío
Puerto Berrío is a municipality and town in the Colombian department of Antioquia.-Geography:Puerto Berrío is located in a region of Antioquia known as the Middle Magdalena...
, in the Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n department
Departments of Colombia
Colombia is an unitary republic formed by thirty-two departments and a Capital District . Each department has a Governor and a Department Assembly , elected by popular vote for a four-year period. The governor cannot be re-elected in consecutive periods...
of Antioquia
Antioquia Department
Antioquia is one of the 32 departments of Colombia, located in the central northwestern part of Colombia with a narrow section that borders the Caribbean Sea. Most of its territory is mountainous with some valleys, much of which is part of the Andes mountain range...
on 26 January 1883. His obituary in the Shipping List of 30 January 1883 stated:
"Mr. J. H. Chesterton, the botanist, died at Puerto Berrio on the 26th. He had been quite ill, but left the hotel ' San Nicholas,' thinking that he had sufficiently improved to be able to make his trip up the river. Sad mistake! He continued to decline, and was barely put on shore at Puerto Berrio where he died. Poor Chesterton's reckless spirit rendered him very efficient as a plant-collector."
The mania for orchids was now at its peak and after Chesterton, orchid collectors became less discriminating and tended to strip out the native habitat to prevent rival collectors from finding anything. The region where Chesterton had re-discovered Miltoniopsis vexillaria
Miltoniopsis vexillaria
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is a species of epiphytic orchid in the genus Miltoniopsis.-Description:The plants are pale green and about tall. Inflorescences are about long and carry up to four blossoms. The large, showy flowers are – across...
was later said to have been cleared as if by a forest fire. In 1887, the English traveller and orchid collector, Albert Millican, came across Chesterton's grave at Puerto Berrio, which he described in his memoirs as a
"rough cross of wood on the edge of the forest, on the higher bank of the river, (which) marks the last resting-place of Chesterton, the well-known orchid collector, who did such good service for the firm of James Veitch and Sons, long before the wholesale plunder and extermination of the plants brought about by modern collectors".
Honours
Amongst the species and varieties of plant named after Chesterton are:- Odontoglossum crispumOdontoglossum crispumOdontoglossum crispum is an epiphytic orchid from the genus Odontoglossum. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful orchid of all but is also one of the most difficult to grow.-Description:O...
var. Chestertonii - Dracula chestertoniiDracula chestertoniiDracula chestertonii, commonly known as the Frog's Skin, is a species of orchid.It was named in honour of the collector Henry Chesterton who discovered this species.-References:...
- Chondroscaphe chestertonii