Von Mueller, one of Australia's greatest botanists and contributor to the early development of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. He had a home on Phillip island and was engaged to Euphemia Henderson. 5 pages. One typed sheet from Mrs V. McHaffie and 4 photocopied handwritten pages of letter. Letter from Baron Von Mueller to Miss Euphemia Henderson [ sister of Mr J. D. McHaffie of Phillip Island]. Mrs V. McHaffie. 8 August 1973 Melbourne Botanic Garden, Sunday 22 February 1863baron von mueller, miss euphemia henderson, letters, mrs v. mchaffie

Ferdinand Von Mueller came to Australia at the age of 22 arriving 15/12/1847 with his two sisters in Adelaide. He started work as an assistant chemist and in his spare time investigated the local vegetation. In 1852 he moved to Melbourne. From 1853 - 1896 when he died, he was the Victorian Government Botanist and Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. He went on a series of expeditions to parts of Victoria including Mount Buffalo and Wilson's Promontory. He travelled all over Australia in various expiditions. In 1863 he was engaged to Euphemia Henderson for 6 months. Euphemia was a wildflower artist and painted bunches of flowers for Mueller. They allocated specimens at Phillip Island (1863) - one named Nematolepis euphemiae F Muell was named for her. Euphemia's sister was Gergianna who married John David McHaffie of Phillip Island. Euphemia lived with the McHaffies on Phillip Island. Her Wildflower art has been adapted for a range of plates and mugs produced in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Maxwell & Williams, called the Euphemia Henderson Collection.Large Black & White photograph of grave and monument of Ferdinand Von Mueller in St Kilda Cemetery.Handwritten on the bottom of the photograph: "Grave/Monument St Kilda Cemetery. Ferdinand Von Mueller. Photographer: Alan West Oct. 1994.ferdinand von mueller, baron ferdinand von mueller, miss euphemia henderson, georgianna mchaffie, john david mchaffie, alan west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Miss Euphemia Ethel Elizabeth Spencer Middleton Henderson standing with right hand resting on chair back. Sister to Mrs J. D. McHaffie.local history, photography, photographs, miss euphemia henderson, black & white photograph, mchaffies, early settlers, john jenner, bryant west