Everlastings: Annie Richards, the Flower Hunter, is the title of a new book by Roger Cross. Roger Cross lives in Burra, South Australia. He is an accomplished author of books in several fields of study, including science and society, science education, the effects of British atomic bomb testing on Australian citizens, and a forthcoming book (Love and Loss) about the great sailing ships of Australia. Roger and I have known each other for more than 30 years. He did a sabbatical at Georgia State University while I was a professor of science education. At the time, he was a professor of science education at LaTrobe University, Melbourne. Roger was responsible for schools, teachers, and students participating in the Global Thinking Project during the 1990s.

Annie Richards, the flower hunter

Roger has penned a unique blend of novel, biography, journal, and story, offering a fresh perspective on a Victorian woman’s journey as a botanical collector in the Australian outback. Despite her significant contributions, Annie Richards faced the common plight of women whose work was not acknowledged by science societies, which were dominated by men. Roger Cross’s book makes up for that and brings to life his “flower hunter.”

The book is about Annie Richards (1845 in England—1930 in Australia), who married Tom Richards, a policeman, and moved to Fowlers Bay together. Roger writes about Annie and her husband’s life in the outback and their difficulties living there. But Annie became quite well known to the Aboriginal tribe in Fowlers Bay, not only as a friendly woman with a deep knowledge of herbal medicine but also as someone consistently available to treat many children and adults. She began her life as the “flower hunter” there, and the Aborigines would occasionally bring her gifts of specimens.

Visual Treat

Roger’s book is a visual treat. The size, 8 “x 10, “is just right, as my wife and I found. The photos, many of which were taken by the author, and the images of Annie’s collection of specimens from the South Australian Herbarium, Adelaide, are exquisitely presented throughout the book, adding a captivating visual element to the narrative.

Style

I liked Roger’s very personal writing style.  He conveyed his devotion to unearthing Annie’s nature and the difficulties that a Victorian woman interested in science faced. As Roger points out, much of his research about Annie and her life was based on Annie’s journal, which covers only two years of her life, 1881 – 1883.  Roger interacts with Annie, using her journal to interpret her life. He writes a compelling story throughout the book.

I highly recommend Roger’s book. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and learn as much as I did. You can order it here on Amazon.