16 Facts About Joseph Maiden

Joseph Henry Maiden was a botanist who made a major contribution to knowledge of the Australian flora, especially the genus Eucalyptus.

Joseph Maiden was born in St John's Wood in northwest London.

Joseph Maiden studied science at the University of London, but due to ill health he did not complete the course.

In 1881, Maiden was appointed first curator of the Technological Museum in Sydney, remaining there until 1896.

Joseph Maiden was much interested in the native plants, and in his early days was associated with the Rev William Woolls in his botanical studies.

In 1896, Joseph Maiden was appointed Government Botanist and Director of the Botanic Gardens, succeeding Charles Moore, who had been one of his botanical mentors.

Joseph Maiden immediately set about establishing the colony's first herbarium, as well as a museum, library and Sydney's first playground.

Joseph Maiden had in the previous year brought out Part I of The Flowering Plants and Ferns of New South Wales, of which other parts appeared in this and in later years.

In 1916, in collaboration with Ernst Betche, he published A Census of New South Wales Plants, and in 1920 Joseph Maiden published Part I of The Weeds of New South Wales.

Joseph Maiden published about 45 papers, and his eight-volume A Critical Revision of the Genus Eucalyptus remained a major reference for over fifty years.

Joseph Maiden convinced his co-author, the artist Margaret Flockton, to delay her retirement for five years to complete the illustrations.

Joseph Maiden was the author of numerous species and the collector of type material for many more.

Joseph Maiden served as secretary of the Geographical Society of Australasia, lectured in agricultural botany and forestry at the University of Sydney, and was a trustee of the Rookwood Church of England Cemetery.

Joseph Maiden was an active office-bearer in the Royal and Linnean societies of New South Wales, the Australian Historical Society, the Wattle Day League, the Horticultural Society and Horticultural Association, the Field Naturalists' Society, the Town Planning Association of New South Wales, and the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, which awarded him with its Mueller Medal in 1923.

Joseph Maiden retired in 1924, and died at Turramurra, Sydney.

Joseph Maiden was appointed a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1916.