This second edition of The History of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew is the authorised history of the worlds greatest botanic gardens. Comprehensively revised, this stunning, richly illustrated reference takes in every aspect of Kews history over two centuries from its origin, pivotal roles in collecting, classifying and identifying the worlds plants and the commercial crops it gave to the British Empire, to being a world renowned institution at the cutting edge of plant science. Kews heritage the Herbarium, its library, art and architecture, from Kew Palace and Burtons great Palm House to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, state of the art laboratories, seed bank and new Davies Alpine House is illustrated and described, together with the events leading to its UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2003. Lastly, it is a social history of the scientists, architects, designers and gardeners who have made Kew, from its humble beginnings as a small physic garden nearly 250 years ago, to the international centre for plant science it is today.