A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Blackwell, Elizabeth, author
BLACKWELL, ELIZABETH,
An English woman of considerable talent, who, to provide subsistence for her husband, who was in prison for debt, published, in two folio volumes, a complete Herbal, containing five hundred plates, drawn, engraved, and coloured by herself. The first volume appeared in 1737, and the second in 1739. The whole work bore the following title:—"A curious Herbal, containing five hundred of the most useful plants which are now used in the practice of physic, engraved on folio copper-plates, after drawings taken from the life. To which is added a short description of the plants, and their common uses in Physic."
While Mrs. Blackwell was completing this laborious undertaking, she resided at Chelsea, near the Garden of Medicinal Plants; where she was frequently visited, and much patronized by people of distinguished rank and learning. The College of Physicians gave the book a public testimonial of their approbation, and made the author a present. Dr. Pulteney, speaking of this work, says, "For the most complete set of drawings of medicinal plants, we are indebted to the genius and industry of a lady, exerted on an occasion that redounded highly to her praise."