William Gardiner

William Gardiner (1808-1852) was a Scottish umbrella maker, poet, and bryologist. Life William Gardiner was born in Dundee, at Overgate, on the 13th of July 1808. According to Lawley, his mother sold pottery, while his father, William senior, was a weaver, gardener, botanist and poet. William junior's grandfather, James Gardiner, was also a weaver. He received little education as a child, but learned how to read and write. At the age of 10, William was apprenticed to an umbrella-maker. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined the business of a Mr George Robertson, another umbrella maker and hosier. Umbrella-making became his primary source of income until the 1840s when he became a full-time plant collector.