Simmons, Richard J.   (1862 - 1940)

Richard Simmons, trained in botany and horticulture in Ireland, before coming to Rockhampton.

He worked for several years under J.S. Edgar at the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens before establishing his own nursery.

He was appointed Curator of the Gardens after Edgar retired, and served for almost thirty years (1902-31).

He was keenly interested in native plants, sent specimens for identification to J.H. Maiden and F.M. Bailey, and made collections of native grasses from near Rockhampton and the Central West.

He became familiar with the flora of the region, and was able to assist visiting botanists. Notable among these was C.J. Chamberlain of Chicago University, whose special interest was in cycads. Richard Simmons directed him to Byfield, where, with the help of the Meilland brothers, he collected specimens of Macrozamia miquelii and Bowenia serrulata.

His son, Henry George Simmons (1889-1974) took over as Curator of the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens after his death.

Source: Extracted from: Queensland Naturalist 44: 1-3, p.58
Portrait Photo: from above.