Walter Hood Fitch

Walter Hood Fitch was an outstanding 19th-century botanical illustrator whose work is admired to this day. Born on February 28, 1817 in Glasgow, Scotland, Fitch began his career in his uncle's printing shop, where he learned the art of lithography. These skills would prove crucial to his later career, as he began to specialize in botanical illustrations.

In 1834, at the tender age of 17, Fitch was discovered by William Jackson Hooker, then Regius Professor of Botany at the University of Glasgow. Hooker was so impressed by Fitch's talent that he invited him to work for his publications. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration that had a significant impact on Fitch's career. When Hooker became director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1841, Fitch followed him to London, where he worked as chief illustrator for Kew's botanical publications.

Fitch's illustrations are characterized by their precision and attention to detail, making them indispensable tools for botanists and plant lovers. He was known for his ability to capture the essence of a plant with just a few strokes, and his work was published in numerous botanical journals and books. Among his most famous works is the illustration of the "Victoria regia," a giant water lily, published in "Curtis's Botanical Magazine" in 1851. This illustration is considered one of the best botanical depictions of the 19th century.