Erasmus Darwin
The Botanic Garden, a Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of Vegetation
"The Botanic Garden, a Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of Vegetation" by Erasmus Darwin is a poem published in 1791. This groundbreaking work combines poetry with science, celebrating technological innovation and exploring cosmic mysteries. Darwin uses vivid, sexualized language borrowed from Linnaeus to make botany captivating for general readers. The poem argues that humans and plants share fundamental connections through sexual reproduction and evolution—ideas his grandson Charles would later develop. By rendering scientific discovery in heroic verse, Darwin pioneered popular science writing, transforming complex botanical knowledge into accessible entertainment that sparked public fascination with the natural world.