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Linnean Society, London, Certificates of Fellows, Foreign Members and Associates 1865-70. 69.03.18

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Richard Kippist, 1869-03-18. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id/69-03-18>, accessed September 11, 2025

Melbourne bot
Garden, 18/3/69
I have much pleasure, dear Mr. Kippist, to propose Mr. Will. R. Guilfoyle of Double Bay, Sydney, as a F.L.S. — This young Gentleman has distinguished himself already as a collector in the pacific Islands and has evinced great ardour for research, so much so that I feel sure, he will prove a worthy Linnean Disciple.
With best regards
Your
Ferd. von Mueller
1
Annotated: acknl June 10/69 Rd.K and in another hand Elected Decr 2/69.
The accompanying formal certificate mentions authorship of Guilfoyle (1869), a detail apparently taken from Guilfoyle's letter to Kippist, 28 February 1869, that is filed with M's letter and the certificate. The certificate is signed 'Ferdinand von Mueller (by letter) George Bentham Fredk Currey William Bull', and is annotated 'Proposed June 3rd 1869 Ballot Decr 2nd [ditto marks] Elected Rd.K'
Guilfoyle, in his letter to Kippist, explained that since leaving College he had applied himself to Botany and that 'by perseverance I have gained a fair knowledge of that beautiful Science'. He went on to say that 'several of my friends have advised me to become a "Fellow of the Linnean Society["]' and that he wished to know 'what the necessary qualifications are for admission'. He sent under separate cover his account of his 1868 voyage, which must have been the version published in four parts in the Sydney morning herald from 19 December 1868 (Pescott [1874], p. 29). Kippist has annotated Guilfoyle's letter: 'Answd May 18/69. send[in]g Abstract, and adding addresses of several Austral[alia]n Fellows'. M had written his nomination before Guilfoyle could have received Kippist's reply. See also M to W. Guilfoyle, 18 March 1869 (in this edition as 63-09-18a).