Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Crowther, James
CROWTHER, JAMES (1768–1847), botanist, the youngest of seven sons of a labourer, was born in a cellar in Deansgate, Manchester, on 24 June 1768. At nine years of age he became draw-boy at a loom, and rarely earned twenty shillings a week through life. Becoming one of the chief of the working-men botanists of Manchester, he gave great assistance to J. B. Wood in compiling the ‘Flora Mancuniensis,’ and also to John Hull. Though most conspicuously acquainted with the lower plants, he was the first to discover the Lady's-slipper Orchid at Malham in Yorkshire. When past work he had but a pittance of three shillings a week, and died on 6 Jan. 1847. He was buried at St. George's, Hulme.
[Cash's Where there's a Will there's a Way.]