William Robinson, horticulturalist and garden writer, was born in Ireland on the 15th July 1838. Robinson first went to London, England around 1862 when he found employment in the Royal Botanical Gardens at Regent's Park. Following this brief period of employment Robinson travelled throughout Europe and America building a sound knowledge of horticulture and publishing as he went. As well as being a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) from 1903, Robinson also declined a knighthood in addition to the Victoria medal of honour from the RHS.
His estate at Gravetye Manor, Sussex, England which included an Elizabethan manor house, was developed as the garden was replanted and enlarged (1885 onwards). Robinson died at Gravetye on 12 May 1935.
William Robinson Gravetye Charity website.