Allan Cunningham’s brother Richard is born

12th February 1793

On this day, 12th February 1793, Allan Cunningham’s younger brother, Richard was born. He followed a similar path as his older brother, working for W.T. Aiton at Kew Gardens in London. He stayed there for eighteen years as an Amanuensis ¹, cataloguing specimens which his brother Allan sent home from his travels in Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.

Later, on the recommendation of Allan, he was appointed as the Colonial Botanist in Australia. ²

1. Meaning of Amanuensis: The Oxford Dictionary defines Amanuensis as “one who writes from dictation or copies manuscript; a literary assistant.[↩]
2. Australian Dictionary of Biography – Richard Cunningham[↩]