What Was William Young's Accomplishments
William Young Jr. had to potential of becoming one of the most well-known botanist of his time. With sponsorship from the Queen of England he was on his way to worldwide recognition. The only person in his way himself William Young Jr had so many things to offer his botany, but he let the royal lifestyle get in the way. John Bartram his mentor was even envious of his mentees success. Getting royal backing was a once in a life time opportunity that botanist only dreamed of getting. With the backing of the crown botanist and scientist alike were free to travel world discovering what the new world had to offer. By looking at William Young Jr’s career we see how royals played into exploration and science. Royals unintentionally caused tension among
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botanist because others would feel they were at a disadvantage as in Young’s case with mentor John Bartram. Due to Young letting distractions get in way he never became as successful as he should have been. William Young Jr was born to be botanist showing signs from a young age that he was destined to become one with nature. While he may have been raised in America his roots stem from Germany. Born in November 30, 1742 at Cassel house in Germany Young’s father decided to move the family to America in 1744 (Harshberger 93). When Young’s family finally decided to settle in place it would a profound effect on Young and his love of science. In 1755 when the family moved to Kingsessing they would become neighbors with John Bartram (Harshberger 94). Seeing how excited Young was to learn Batram took him under his wing as a mentee teaching everything he knew about botany (Kinch 361). Despite the huge age difference, they hit it off and developed a good friendship. Once Young became and adult he began to travel on his own. In doing so he could see nature through his perspective and add on to the knowledge that Bartram had giving him. In doing this he was on his way to becoming force to be reckoned with in the botanist community. At the tender age of 21 Young decided to capture the attention of Queen Charlotte of England; while details are not clear, what is known is that he sent the Queen a letter and gift which the contents are unknown (Kinch 362). However, whatever he sent worked as he summoned to England to meet the Queen who had an interest in botany and the royal gardens (362 Kinch). With this Young, would be introduced to new lifestyle that would be his demised and cause his mentor John Bartram to become jealous of him. Queen Charlotte was the root of this jealousy because she had chosen Young. While Young may have been happy about joining the royal court some of his fellow scientist were not.
Young being only in his earlier twenties immediate other scientist twice his age who had been working for years and never got noticed. With his new position came jealousy from his mentor John Bartram. Bartram was stunned by the news of Young’s preferment (Kinch 364). Due to fact that Bartram was more accomplished and well received by other botanist and scientist. His accomplishments during his speak for themselves yet he never got the chance to prove himself to the royals. That’s why is was hard for him when Young a relativity unknown youth should suddenly receive royal preferment and a large salary especially since Young had gleaned all his botanical knowledge from him (Kinch 364). The once close mentee and mentor were now at odds with one another. The real reason was chosen by Queen Charlotte was because of his roots. The Queen of England was German born and Young was son of immigrants and it was these origins that helped him with the favor of the Queen (Madge 20). With his German heritage, the Queen would allow him to get away with things and kept on the royal longer than should have been
allowed. When Young first arrived to the royal court he was a humble botanist eager to expand his knowledge and travelling; however he quickly became a different person and his priorities changed. “The unrefined Queen’s Botanist rapidly took advantage of his $ 300 salary to transform himself into a proper dandy” (Kinch 367). With his salary, instead of perfecting his craft lavished himself with gifts. The consequences of this was “his thirst for botantical knowledge had become secondary to his appetite for women” (Kinch 367). Transforming himself into a new and improve version almost to the point of new recognition. Eventually his frivolous spending would catch up leading him in trouble. Due to his pleasures, he would eventually land himself in debt and jail (Magee 22). The once promising botanist was now broke and disgraced from the royal court. With his reputation tarnished he knew that he was going need a major accomplishment to get him back in the good graces of the Queen. The royal life had gotten the best him, but going to jail was the humble reminder that he needed. With this new mindset, he more determined to prove himself worthy. The easiest way for Young to redeem himself would to find a plant that had never been seen before. While John Bartram may have been the first person to cultivate the Venus flytrap in a greenhouse; Young was the first person to bring the living plant back to England (Magee 22). With this accomplishment, Young could restore his reputation and impress the Queen. While Young may have had struggles in his short career before his death he was able to contribute to the world of botany. Unlike his fellow botanist, he was willing to accompany and personally tend to his plants while in transit across the Atlantic (Kinch 387). This would give him an advantage because he could guarantee that his plants would survive. With a higher survival rate, he could distribute more plants to his customers. He also had the kind of energy to and ability to supply a live version of the Venus flytrap speaking volumes to skill as a nurseryman. Even though he had so much potential he let his privilege on being on the royal court get the best of him. Due to this he would never become as well-known as his mentor John Bartram. William Young Jr. was on his way to becoming a well- known botanist during his time. With his appointment to the royal court it gave him the advantage over his fellow botanist. While some may of use this opportunity to their advantage Young decided to take it for granted. He used royal money to expand his travels, but failed when it came to delivering specimens of plants. His saving grace would be bringing a live sample of the Venus flytrap to England. His early success caused tension between him and mentor John Bartram showing how royals could unintentionally cause rivalries among scientist. Young is the perfect example of someone who was destined for greatness, but let outside distractions get in the way. In the portrait of Queen Charlotte by William Beechey in 1793 you see the Queen with her two dogs surrounded by the natural world. "This is a very forcible likeness of the Queen, and very reputable to its author; the figure is well drawn, and the coloring is like the object it represents, calm, harmonious and correct” ( 43 Roberts). The painting itself is very dark with the only real color being the white dress that the Queen is wearing. Even the yellow scarf that she is wearing is muted with in color. The only movement is the dog on ground looking at her, but moving in the opposite direction. Her yellow scarf seems to be moving due to the wind. In the background behind all the trees you can barely see the castle with the flag on top. This can represent that even though nature has been changed it will always conquer human made items. At the same time the Queen standing out in front of all the tress could humans feeling that have complete control over nature. The background is muted in color and the only the Queen is standing out. The dog she is holding could be a metaphor nature that has been controlled and now obeys human interaction. While the other land the puppy on the ground could represent nature that untamed and does not want to be controlled by the human world. As stated before the puppy ground is moving away from the Queen with a happy expression. What the Queen and other royalty during her time failed to realized that not all Nature should or is meant to be adapted to fit human needs. Her being interested botany would have made her connection to nature much stronger since she would have been more eager to learn about. However, botany could of also helped to improve the royals gardens since she would have access to exotic plants from the new world. With new plants, she would have gardens that would be envied by other royals. Being German born and living in England explain her love for botany since they two countries were most passionate about science and producing scientist (Magee 7). This portrait shows her being still in nature almost as if she understood it.
botanist because others would feel they were at a disadvantage as in Young’s case with mentor John Bartram. Due to Young letting distractions get in way he never became as successful as he should have been. William Young Jr was born to be botanist showing signs from a young age that he was destined to become one with nature. While he may have been raised in America his roots stem from Germany. Born in November 30, 1742 at Cassel house in Germany Young’s father decided to move the family to America in 1744 (Harshberger 93). When Young’s family finally decided to settle in place it would a profound effect on Young and his love of science. In 1755 when the family moved to Kingsessing they would become neighbors with John Bartram (Harshberger 94). Seeing how excited Young was to learn Batram took him under his wing as a mentee teaching everything he knew about botany (Kinch 361). Despite the huge age difference, they hit it off and developed a good friendship. Once Young became and adult he began to travel on his own. In doing so he could see nature through his perspective and add on to the knowledge that Bartram had giving him. In doing this he was on his way to becoming force to be reckoned with in the botanist community. At the tender age of 21 Young decided to capture the attention of Queen Charlotte of England; while details are not clear, what is known is that he sent the Queen a letter and gift which the contents are unknown (Kinch 362). However, whatever he sent worked as he summoned to England to meet the Queen who had an interest in botany and the royal gardens (362 Kinch). With this Young, would be introduced to new lifestyle that would be his demised and cause his mentor John Bartram to become jealous of him. Queen Charlotte was the root of this jealousy because she had chosen Young. While Young may have been happy about joining the royal court some of his fellow scientist were not.
Young being only in his earlier twenties immediate other scientist twice his age who had been working for years and never got noticed. With his new position came jealousy from his mentor John Bartram. Bartram was stunned by the news of Young’s preferment (Kinch 364). Due to fact that Bartram was more accomplished and well received by other botanist and scientist. His accomplishments during his speak for themselves yet he never got the chance to prove himself to the royals. That’s why is was hard for him when Young a relativity unknown youth should suddenly receive royal preferment and a large salary especially since Young had gleaned all his botanical knowledge from him (Kinch 364). The once close mentee and mentor were now at odds with one another. The real reason was chosen by Queen Charlotte was because of his roots. The Queen of England was German born and Young was son of immigrants and it was these origins that helped him with the favor of the Queen (Madge 20). With his German heritage, the Queen would allow him to get away with things and kept on the royal longer than should have been
allowed. When Young first arrived to the royal court he was a humble botanist eager to expand his knowledge and travelling; however he quickly became a different person and his priorities changed. “The unrefined Queen’s Botanist rapidly took advantage of his $ 300 salary to transform himself into a proper dandy” (Kinch 367). With his salary, instead of perfecting his craft lavished himself with gifts. The consequences of this was “his thirst for botantical knowledge had become secondary to his appetite for women” (Kinch 367). Transforming himself into a new and improve version almost to the point of new recognition. Eventually his frivolous spending would catch up leading him in trouble. Due to his pleasures, he would eventually land himself in debt and jail (Magee 22). The once promising botanist was now broke and disgraced from the royal court. With his reputation tarnished he knew that he was going need a major accomplishment to get him back in the good graces of the Queen. The royal life had gotten the best him, but going to jail was the humble reminder that he needed. With this new mindset, he more determined to prove himself worthy. The easiest way for Young to redeem himself would to find a plant that had never been seen before. While John Bartram may have been the first person to cultivate the Venus flytrap in a greenhouse; Young was the first person to bring the living plant back to England (Magee 22). With this accomplishment, Young could restore his reputation and impress the Queen. While Young may have had struggles in his short career before his death he was able to contribute to the world of botany. Unlike his fellow botanist, he was willing to accompany and personally tend to his plants while in transit across the Atlantic (Kinch 387). This would give him an advantage because he could guarantee that his plants would survive. With a higher survival rate, he could distribute more plants to his customers. He also had the kind of energy to and ability to supply a live version of the Venus flytrap speaking volumes to skill as a nurseryman. Even though he had so much potential he let his privilege on being on the royal court get the best of him. Due to this he would never become as well-known as his mentor John Bartram. William Young Jr. was on his way to becoming a well- known botanist during his time. With his appointment to the royal court it gave him the advantage over his fellow botanist. While some may of use this opportunity to their advantage Young decided to take it for granted. He used royal money to expand his travels, but failed when it came to delivering specimens of plants. His saving grace would be bringing a live sample of the Venus flytrap to England. His early success caused tension between him and mentor John Bartram showing how royals could unintentionally cause rivalries among scientist. Young is the perfect example of someone who was destined for greatness, but let outside distractions get in the way. In the portrait of Queen Charlotte by William Beechey in 1793 you see the Queen with her two dogs surrounded by the natural world. "This is a very forcible likeness of the Queen, and very reputable to its author; the figure is well drawn, and the coloring is like the object it represents, calm, harmonious and correct” ( 43 Roberts). The painting itself is very dark with the only real color being the white dress that the Queen is wearing. Even the yellow scarf that she is wearing is muted with in color. The only movement is the dog on ground looking at her, but moving in the opposite direction. Her yellow scarf seems to be moving due to the wind. In the background behind all the trees you can barely see the castle with the flag on top. This can represent that even though nature has been changed it will always conquer human made items. At the same time the Queen standing out in front of all the tress could humans feeling that have complete control over nature. The background is muted in color and the only the Queen is standing out. The dog she is holding could be a metaphor nature that has been controlled and now obeys human interaction. While the other land the puppy on the ground could represent nature that untamed and does not want to be controlled by the human world. As stated before the puppy ground is moving away from the Queen with a happy expression. What the Queen and other royalty during her time failed to realized that not all Nature should or is meant to be adapted to fit human needs. Her being interested botany would have made her connection to nature much stronger since she would have been more eager to learn about. However, botany could of also helped to improve the royals gardens since she would have access to exotic plants from the new world. With new plants, she would have gardens that would be envied by other royals. Being German born and living in England explain her love for botany since they two countries were most passionate about science and producing scientist (Magee 7). This portrait shows her being still in nature almost as if she understood it.