William Darlington

1782–1863 (age 81)

Naturalist, Botanist

Photograph of William Darlington

Biography

William Darlington practiced medicine near West Chester while nurturing a lifelong passion for botany, publishing his celebrated "Flora Cestrica" and documenting the native plants of Chester County.

He also served in the Pennsylvania legislature and in Congress, where he advocated for scientific inquiry and education before returning to his study of the natural world.