Robert Marsham
The founding father of phenology
Born 27th January 1708.
- Marsham owned a modest sized country estate in Stratton Strawless, Norfolk.
- From a very early age he had shown a passion for the natural world.
- He became friendly with the naturalist Gilbert White, with whom he carried on a lengthy correspondence.
His interest in trees resulted in his being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1780.
A painful naturalist
Described by Gilbert White as a 'painful and accurate naturalist', Marsham was the first to record the effects of nature and seasonal change.
Indications of Spring
In 1736 he commenced a series of observations that he developed into the 27 Indications of Spring
Successive generations of Marshams continued this tradition until 1958, building up an invaluable set of phenology records.
The man
300 years on, he's best remembered for his:
- fame as a phenologist
- knowledge of trees
- arboricultural experiments
- planting trees all his life
The Marsham story (quick guide)
Commemorative events
Celebrate his tricentenary
in Marsham's Norfolk
birth place...
events in 2008
Fascinating new booklet
Read more about Marsham