The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: 25/8/65 ¶ Dear Sir William ¶ ¶ Since writing to you I learn, that the library of poor Lindley cannot be secured in the manner, I hoped. ¶ This is very sad. Possibly by your applying to Sir Charl. Da...

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RBG, Directors' letters, vol. LXXV, Australian and Pacific letters 1859-65, letter no. 195. 65.08.25a

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Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to William Hooker, 1865-08-25 [65.08.25a]. 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//letters/1860-9/1865/65-08-25a-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

25/8/65

Dear Sir William

Since writing to you I learn, that the library of poor Lindley cannot be secured in the manner, I hoped.

See M to W. Hooker, 20 August 1865.

This is very sad. Possibly by your applying to Sir Charl. Darling,

Governor of Victoria.

his Excellency might ind[uc]e his advisers to place a special sum on the estimates for the purchase of the books & collections.

W. Hooker was dead before this letter was written; there is no evidence in the Colonial Office files that any such approach was made by any supporter of Lindley.

If so the whole should certainly go to my department.

Regardfully your

Ferd. Mueller

I just receive a letter that the Parliament library would probably secure £100 - - worth of the books,

Letter not found.

I will write again by next mail but if other chances exist for the sale they should not be lost

For the attempt to sell Lindley’s library and herbarium to Australia see Lucas (2008). M had heard of the offer, initially to NSW, before Lindley wrote directly to him (J. Lindley to M, 29 August 1865). After Lindley’s death, his botanical library was sold to the Royal Horticultural Society for £600.

Would you kindly let me know your final opinion on the Australian .