Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Major, Joshua

by Gordon Goodwin

MAJOR, JOSHUA (1787–1866), landscape-gardener, born in 1787, carried on his business at Knostrop, near Leeds, and long held a prominent position in his profession. He assisted in the formation of the first Sunday school in Leeds, of which he was superintendent for many years, and took an active interest in the other religious and charitable institutions of the town. He died on 26 Jan. 1866.

Major was author of:

1. ‘A Treatise on the Insects most prevalent on Fruit Trees and Garden Produce,’ 8vo, London, 1829.
2. ‘The Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening,’ 4to, London, 1852.
3. ‘The Ladies' Assistant in the formation of their Flower Gardens,’ 4to, London, 1861, in which he was assisted by his son and successor, Henry Major.

He was also a frequent contributor to the ‘Gardeners' Magazine’ when under the editorship of J. C. Loudon [q. v.]

[Gardeners' Chronicle, 10 Feb. 1866, p. 128; Leeds Intelligencer, 3 Feb. 1866; Taylor's Biographia Leodiensis, p. 609.]

G. G.