Peter Henderson (1822–90)

Scottish-born horticulturist, seed-merchant, and writer. Apprenticed in the gardens of Melville Castle near Dalkeith, Scotland. Emigrated to the US in 1843. Worked in Long Island, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh before setting up a market-gardening business with his brother James in Jersey City, NJ, in 1847. Specialised in ornamental plants after the partnership dissolved a few years later. Opened an office in New York City in 1853; established the seed and garden supply company Peter Henderson and Company in 1871. Wrote prolifically for journals; author of several books, as well as maintaining a large correspondence. Read a paper attacking CD’s graft-hybrid theory of the origin of certain species before the New York Horticultural Society in 1881.