André Michaux was one of the most accomplished scientific explorers of North America before Lewis and Clark, known for his major contributions to botany and horticulture. During his decade-long American sojourn, he established a botanical garden and introduced countless native plants to Europe. Yet Michaux also found himself thrust into the middle of a vast international conspiracy.
Drawing on sources buried in the vault of the American Philosophical Society (APS) author and CEO of APS Patrick Spero, sheds new light on a political climate that fostered reckless diplomatic ventures under the guise of scientific exploration.
This fascinating talk blends political intrigue with botany and highlights a little-known chapter where early American horticulture and global ambition intersected.
