Anne Pratt

Who was Anne Pratt?

Anne Pratt was a botanical and ornithological illustrator from Strood, Kent. She was one of the best known English botanical illustrators of the Victorian age. She was the second of three daughters of Robert Pratt, a grocer, and Sara Bundock. Due to poor health and a 'stiff knee' in childhood she missed out on 'outdoor activities' and was encouraged to occupy herself by drawing. Anne Pratt was educated at Eastgate House, Rochester, and was introduced to botany by Dr. Dods, a family friend. She moved to Brixton, London in 1826 where she developed he career as an illustrator. She settled in Dover in 1849, then in East Grinstead in 1866 where she married John Pearless. They then moved to Redhill. She died in Shepherd's Bush, London.

Anne Pratt wrote more than 20 books which she illustrated with chromolithographs. Anne Pratt's works were written in popular style but were said to be accurate. She was responsible for the popularising of Botany. She never achieved critical acclaim on the grounds that she was self-taught. She collaborated with William Dickes, an engraver skilled in the chromolithograph process.