Presenting Hans Sloane Lecture

Three Physic Gardens in London:

To be given by Dr Timothy Cutler

About:

Dr Cutler will discuss Sir Hans Sloane’s life, which will lead to the story of the Chelsea Physic Garden. As Sloane was President of the Royal College of Physicians, Dr Cutler will progress to the modern recreation of a Physic Garden at the College. This will also give him a chance to look back at the original Renaissance Physic Gardens in Italy, which were gardens that were attempts to ‘recreate’ the Garden of Eden. He will also describe one of the oldest Physic Gardens in the City of London at Barber-Surgeons’ Hall, initially created by the famous plantsman John Gerard, and reinstated after destruction in the Second World War, which Dr Cutler now curates.

Dr Timothy Cutler MA MB BChir FRCP FLS, is a retired Consultant Dermatologist. He is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Barbers and the Hon. Curator of the Physic Garden at Barber-Surgeons Hall. He was the Royal College of Physicians’ representative on the Advisory Board of Management at the Chelsea Physic Garden (1996-2016). He is a Garden Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. He is a keen gardener at his home in Aldeburgh and also at his family farm in Southern Tuscany, where the principal activity revolves around the production of premium-quality organic single-estate extra virgin olive oil.

The Hans Sloane Lecture was established in 1973 to commemorate the tercentenary of the Physic Garden at Chelsea and named in honour of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. PRCP, who granted the lease of the garden to the Society in perpetuity for a nominal rent. It is devoted to the history of botany and especially the part played in it by the Apothecaries.

Date: Tuesday 10 June 2025

Time: 6.30 pm
Location: Chelsea Physic Garden
Dress code:  Casual

Tickets are on sale by clicking here

Contact: AcademicEvents@apothecaries.org