Post written by Tracy Skye-Meli, Sr. Library Assistant, History of Medicine Section, Edward G. Miner Library.
When I first started working at the Edward G. Miner Library, I knew the collection held some special items. But it wasn’t until I began working in the History of Medicine Section that I truly appreciated just how remarkable some of them are. Seeing these primary sources up close has been an unforgettable experience.
One particularly fascinating book in the History of Medicine’s rare book collection is Medical botany by William Woodville, illustrated by James Sowerby. It’s in surprisingly good condition considering it dates to the early 1790s. The pages are intact, and the hand-colored illustrations remain vibrant and clear.
William Woodville (1752–1805) was an English physician and botanist, and a strong advocate for vaccines, especially the one for smallpox. His collaborator, James Sowerby (1757–1822), was an English naturalist, illustrator, and mineralogist known for his meticulous and beautiful work.
Medical botany is not simply an art book—it’s a scientific one. Botanical illustration, unlike general botanical art, emphasizes accuracy. It’s not just about aesthetic appeal; it’s about helping the viewer identify a plant precisely. This level of detail is crucial, especially when a plant is being used for medicinal purposes.
The book is a three-volume set published between 1790 and 1793 by the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh. It features beautiful, scientifically detailed illustrations of medicinal plants, along with descriptions of their properties, uses, and effects on the human body. Sowerby hand-colored the copper-plate engravings of the 210 illustrations in this set. A supplemental volume was published in 1794 with an additional 63 plates.
A few of my favorite illustrations from the set include:
• Leontodon taraxacum (common dandelion)
• Salvia officinalis (garden sage)
• Ribes rubrum (red currant)
Dandelions always remind me of spring turning into summer. They’re among the first bright yellow flowers to appear each year. I never thought of them as weeds or medicine—just cheerful flowers. The more I’ve learned about them, the more I appreciate their usefulness. Dandelions are nutritionally beneficially as they’re rich in vitamins and minerals. The greens can be used in salads, while the roots, leaves, and flowers can be steeped in teas and used as a diuretic. Sowerby’s illustration captures every stage of this humble plant’s development: the roots, leaf shapes, and flowers. Even someone unfamiliar with dandelions could recognize one from his drawing. That’s the purpose of botanical illustration—to allow for accurate identification, which is vital for medicinal use.
Salvia officinalis, or garden sage, is another plant I’ve come to admire. I haven’t used it in cooking yet, but I’ve dried its leaves for smudging bundles. Sage contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Like dandelions, it can also be used to make tea. Sage can be used as an essential oil and can help reduce excessive sweating, although Woodville didn’t explain how. I planted some in my yard for their beautiful purple flowers and pungent, pleasant scent. Woodville’s description and Sowerby’s illustration match what’s growing outside my door almost exactly.
A third favorite is Ribes rubrum, the red currant. Like dandelions and sage, red currant berries have vitamins and antioxidant benefits. The plant has broad leaves and eye-catching berries; it’s a plant that would easily stand out in a garden. Though I have only encountered red currants as jelly in my aunt’s kitchen, Sowerby’s illustration is so vivid and precise, it’s as if I’ve seen the plant growing right in front of me. Plus, the Latin name has a lovely rhythm—Ribes rubrum—it practically rolls off the tongue.
All three of these plants can grow and thrive in Rochester, New York.
If you’d like to view Woodville and Sowerby’s Medical botany, contact us at Miner_HistMed@urmc.rochester.edu.