André Michaux Lecture

"André Michaux, Botanist and Explorer"
Charlie Williams, Chairperson, North American Chapter of the André Michaux International Society

  • Thursday, February 8, 2007 – 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Of André Michaux, Charles Kuralt said: "...we should all remember his name for he was one of the most remarkable human beings of the 18th century, or of any century."

Join Charlie Williams, chairman of the Michaux society, as he dons period costume to whisk you back to Michaux's time in America with a first-person interpretation of this legendary botanist's life, travels and discoveries.

Set in 1795 after he has traveled and explored much of eastern North America, "Michaux" recounts the story of his youth and education in France and some of his successes and disappointments as a botanical traveler on three continents.

When our country was young, Michaux traveled widely here. He met both America's elite and its ordinary citizens, visiting George Washington at Mount Vernon and Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, but spending many more days and nights in the backcountry with ordinary citizens or Indian guides. Michaux overcame obstacles that are almost incomprehensible to us today in his quest to search this country for plants new to science. Moreover, he did not work to become wealthy or powerful, but because of his love for plants and his desire to advance the sciences of botany, agriculture and forestry. Michaux's story is a compelling one that is not often heard.

Cost
$5.00 for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members, NC State University students (with ID), and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff, all others $10.00. Bring your membership card to check in quickly, but as always, we will have a membership list at registration.
Registration
Advance registration is not available.
Location
Ruby C. McSwain Education Center at the JC Raulston Arboretum.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions
Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about this event.