Draft:William McNab (1780–1848)

William McNab (12 August 1780 – 1 December 1848) was a Scottish horticulturist and plant collector, recognized for his contributions to the development of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and advancements in horticultural techniques.

Early Life and Career

McNab was born on 12 August 1780 in Dailly, Ayrshire, one of twelve children of a farmer. He began his career as a gardening apprentice at local Scottish estates and, in 1801, joined the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. There, McNab became foreman in 1803, gaining recognition for his horticultural work. His tenure at Kew coincided with a period of expanding plant collections, including acquisitions of plants intended for other botanical gardens.

Role at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

In 1810, McNab was appointed Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, then located at Leith Walk. His appointment came at the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks, and William Aiton described McNab as possessing "the sincerity and real worth of an honest man." Although his salary was lower than at Kew, McNab accepted the post due to the opportunity to develop the garden further. Between 1820 and 1823, he managed the garden's relocation to Inverleith, a significant project involving the transfer of mature trees and shrubs, some over a century old. McNab devised a specialized tree transplanting machine to ensure the plants' survival during the move.

Contributions to Horticulture

McNab was a pioneer in cultivating ericaceous plants from southern Africa, publishing a treatise on their propagation in 1832. He also developed a specialized tree transplanting machine, which earned him a reputation as an innovator in horticultural techniques. Beyond exotic plants, McNab maintained an interest in Scotland’s native flora, creating watercolors of specimens and preserving them in herbarium collections.

His work helped transform the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh into an international center for plant exchange, with specimens sent to and received from gardens worldwide. In recognition of his contributions, he received a diamond ring from the Tsar of Russia in 1826 and was made a founding member of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh in 1836.