Henry Shaws Victorian Landscape

Grove (landscape studies, U. of Missouri-Columbia) recounts the transformation of Henry Shaw's (1800-1889) estate, Tower Grove, in St. Louis into what is now the Missouri Botanical Garden. He opened the garden in 1859, then added 276 acres for the Tower Grove Park, which were designed using the gardenesque approach that allows room for viewing and emphasizes the characteristics of individual species. Grove describes Shaw's life from his birth in England to his immigration to America and ensuing business and financial accomplishments, and explains how he developed the garden and park, influences on him, experts who consulted with him, and how it reflected American society at the time. Interspersed throughout the text are b&w photos of the grounds, plans, and visitors at the garden. Annotation © 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR