A talk by Dr Jan Woudstra on the man who designed Sheffield's Botanical Gardens and much of the General Cemetery.
Followed by guided tours of the Gardens and Cemetery.
The event is free and all are welcome, whether or not you are Friends of the Gardens.
"Revealing Robert Marnock: ’the most successful landscape gardener’ of the nineteenth century."
This talk provides an introduction to Robert Marnock (1800-1889) who commenced his career as a landscape gardener in Sheffield. He had won the 1834 design competition for the Botanic Gardens there, and was soon advising on other places in the vicinity, including the General Cemetery, but also various private gardens, not least for the Duke of Norfolk. He did this while also acting as curator of the botanic garden, first in Sheffield and then in Regent’s Park, London where he had moved just before Christmas 1839. After his retirement he fully dedicated himself to his landscape practice, designing parks and gardens in the UK, in Italy and Belgium. His clients included industrialists, developers, local authorities, nobility and royalty. This talk provides an overview of his range of work, identifying what was typical and special in his designs, and attempts to articulate his legacy.
The talk will take place in the Dorothy Fox Centre in the Botanical Gardens and be followed by walking tours of the Gardens and the General Cemetery. We plan to provide refreshments but please bring your own lunch.
Jan Woudstra is a landscape architect who has taught History and Theory of Landscape Architecture at the University of Sheffield since 1995, has worked on various restoration projects relating to Marnock’s work, and is writing a monograph on his work and life. He has published widely.
The talk will take place in the Dorothy Fox Education Centre. To make it as Covid-secure as possible, we will be opening all the doors and windows to increase the ventilation, and limiting audience numbers to around 50 people. We will provide hand sanitiser and encourage mask-wearing. Please don’t attend if you feel unwell.
Archival images of the Cemetery (left) and the Gardens (right).