William Turner and the first English herbal
William Turner's 1551 work is the first original scientific herbal written by an Englishman and the first published in the English language. Both physician and botanist, he was also a supporter of the Reformation, and twice had to flee England. During his enforced travels he recorded and collected European flora. His 'Newe herball' was published in 1551, three years after returning from his first exile abroad.
In 1768 an honorary fellow of the College and the first Scottish-born British Prime Minister, John Stuart 3rd Earl of Bute, gave a impressive collection of botanical books to the Royal College of Physicans of Edinburgh. This included a copy of Hortus Eystettensis.