Charles Downing (pomologist)

Charles Downing (July 9, 1802 – January 18, 1885), was an American pomologist, horticulturist, and author.

Charles Downing
BornJuly 9, 1802
DiedJanuary 18, 1885
Occupationpomologist

Biography

Charles Downing was born in Newburgh, New York on July 9, 1802. He began helping his father, Samuel Downing, with his nursery business when he was a teen. In 1822, his father died and Downing took over the business, later partnering with his brother, Andrew Jackson Downing, in 1835. The partnership lasted until 1839 when Charles sold his interest to start his own business.[1] As a nurseryman, Downing was known for his cultivation skill and trustworthiness.[2]

Published in 1845, he worked with his brother to write The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America.[1] After Andrew's death in 1852, Downing edited and added new material and reissued The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America.[2] Each new edition greatly enlarged the book and it was the best publication of the kind in the United States.[3]

In 1850, left his nursery and began to research and experiment with fruit varieties. His test orchard contained 1,800 varieties of apples and 1,000 varieties of pears.[1] He also worked with cultivating a variety of grapes in New York state.[4] He was regarded as one of the foremost pomologists of his day.[2] He also wrote many articles upon horticultural subjects under the initials "C. D." His work throughout was conscientious and accurate, and he was internationally recognized as an authority upon pomology, horticulture, and tree growths. Quiet, modest, and retiring, although an active member of horticultural societies, he would never make a public speech.

In 1870, Downing traveled with Marshall P. Wilder, Patrick Barry, and George Ellwanger to California and published about their journey in Tilton's Journal. The California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences printed their report in seven articles [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]. Their report transformed the horticultural landscape through the realization of the optimal growing conditions, vast acreage, large fruits, and exotic plants of California.[12]

Death and legacy

While in New York City in 1883, Downing was knocked down and run over by a horsecar. He never completely recovered from the injuries he received and died two years later on January 18, 1885.[2] He was married to Mary Wait, daughter of Samuel Wait of Montgomery, New York.

Downing bequeathed his library of books and manuscripts to the Iowa Agricultural College Horticulture Department. His drawings and descriptions of apples and other fruits became a major source for the fruit sections of the 1903 American Horticultural Manual.[13]

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References

Notes
  1. "Charles Downing Pomological Variety Notes, MS 220, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library". findingaids.lib.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  2. Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine. J. Vick. 1885.
  3. Michigan, State Pomological Society of (1880). Annual Report of the Secretary of the State Pomological Society of Michigan. by Authority.
  4. Times, Correspondence of the New-York (1864-10-09). "Exhibition of the Newburgh Bay Horticultural Society.; Exhibition of the Newburgh Bay Horticultural Society". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  5. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 1 September 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  6. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 8 September 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  7. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 15 September 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  8. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 22 September 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  9. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 29 September 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  10. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 6 October 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  11. "California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences 13 October 1870 — California Digital Newspaper Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  12. Wilson, Amy H. (2017-02-06). Encyclopedia of Local History. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442278783.
  13. J.L. Budd, N.E. Hansen (1903). American Horticultural Manual. Part II. Systematic Pomology. J. Wiley & Sons. 546 pp.

Sources
  • "Charles Downing", Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.
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