The acquisition of the Orengo di Roccasterone family estate at Mortola in 1867 marked the pivot point for a career that transitioned from international merchant trading to scientific horticulture. Before establishing his coastal sanctuary, Thomas Hanbury spent nearly two decades navigating the complex commercial landscape of mid-nineteenth-century China, accumulating wealth through silk, tea, and infrastructure development.
Commercial Foundations in Shanghai
Born in 1832 in the London Borough of Lambeth, Hanbury began his career in 1849 at the tea brokerage firm William James Thompson & Sons. Relocating to Shanghai in 1853, he founded Hanbury & Co. with three partners. Following the dissolution of that firm in 1857, he entered a partnership with Frederick Bower, forming Bower, Hanbury & Co. His influence in China extended beyond commodities; he served on the Anglo-American Municipal Council of Shanghai, directed the early Woosung Railway, and facilitated telegraph operations between Shanghai and Hong Kong. During his tenure, he notably learned to speak Mandarin Chinese, fostering relationships with local residents that distinguished him from his isolated European contemporaries.
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Upon his return to Europe in 1871, Hanbury dedicated himself to the transformation of his Italian estate, the Giardini Botanici Hanbury. Collaborating with his brother Daniel, a fellow botanist, he curated an expansive collection of plants across 18 hectares of his 45-hectare property. To maintain these grounds, he employed professional curators, including Ludwig Winter, who served as head gardener from 1868 to 1875, followed by horticulturalists such as Gustave Rutschi, Gustav Cronemeyer, Kurt Dinter, and Alwin Berger.
Philanthropy and Horticultural Legacy
Hanbury maintained a commitment to public service and education throughout his life. In the 1880s, he financed the establishment of the Eurasia School in Shanghai, which later became the Hanbury Schools for Boys and Girls. His horticultural contributions earned him the Victoria Medal of Honour in 1903. Furthermore, after the 1902 passing of George Fergusson Wilson, Hanbury purchased the Oakwood experimental garden, donating it to the Royal Horticultural Society to facilitate the development of RHS Garden Wisley.
Fast facts
- Born: 1832, London Borough of Lambeth
- Died: 9 March 1907, Ventimiglia
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Spouse: Katharine Aldam Pease
- Notable Membership: Linnean Society of London
- Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order: 1901
- Victoria Medal of Honour: 1903
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the Giardini Botanici Hanbury?
It became a major botanical site featuring a vast collection of flora managed by professional curators, attracting notable international visitors including Queen Victoria.
How did Hanbury contribute to the Royal Horticultural Society?
In 1902, he purchased the Oakwood garden from the estate of George Fergusson Wilson and donated the land to the Society to form the foundation of RHS Garden Wisley.
Achievements
- Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order — 1901
- Victoria Medal of Honour — 1903
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