Abstract Detail

Botanical History

Say it with Flowers: Elizabeth Britton, Roses, and the Floral Politics of America.

This paper focuses on this largely unknown portion of Elizabeth Gertrude Knight Britton’s (1858-1934) career, her campaign to establish the rose as the national floral emblem, and the rationale for her choice. It also explores the national debate over the choice of floral emblem, and the symbolic politics of natural objects like flowers--and their meaning--in an expanding geographic and indeed imperial contexts. It draws on archival records, newspaper and other media sources, as well as a range of secondary historical literature on geography, national imaginaries, and natural objects. It also explores the entanglements between botany, horticultural science, collections, and commerce, as well as urban design and gardening in the United States of America as it explores flowers as reflections of American identity.

1 - Dept Biology/Bartram/Carr Hall, Univ Of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States

Keywords:
Britton
Roses
Floral emblem
National Flower Question.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: HIST1, Botanical History
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2020
Time: 3:15 PM
Number: HIST1002
Abstract ID:630
Candidate for Awards:Emanuel D. Rudolph Award