The Founding Gardeners: Nature's Role in Shaping the American Nation

Explore a fresh perspective on the nation's founding fathers with the acclaimed author of The Invention of Nature. Uncover a captivating portrayal of these founding gardeners that you've never encountered before.

The Founding Fathers were not only passionate about the battle for liberty and the greatness of their new nation but also deeply invested in gardening, agriculture, and botany. Founding Gardeners delves into this fascination, offering a unique perspective on their lives as gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and farmers. Historian Andrea Wulf explores how George Washington corresponded with his estate manager amid looming British warships, how visits to English gardens inspired Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, and why James Madison is often overlooked as an early environmentalist. Through these stories and more, Wulf paints a rich and detailed portrait of the men who shaped our country.