The Botany of Empire in the Long Eighteenth Century (original) (raw)

This research examines the role of botany in international diplomacy during the late eighteenth century, focusing on a 1788 botanical exchange between Louis XVI of France and Tipu Sultan of Mysore. It highlights how the collection and exchange of plants were utilized as diplomatic tools that reflected imperial ambitions and economic objectives. Through detailed correspondence and records housed at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, the study reveals the complexities of botanical diplomacy, the challenges faced in plant transportation, and the broader implications for the understanding of early modern science and empire.