Unearthed: The embroidered Herbal of Bertha Anderson - a book history

Unearthed: The Power of Gardening is a free display at The Mitchell Library (2 May – 10 August 2025) exploring the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical power of gardening. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition, Glasgow Libraries is one of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network. 

From windowsills to allotments, Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at The Mitchell Library explores how the act of gardening can heal and sustain people in a multitude of ways. It reveals how gardening can bring people together, empower communities and shape our relationship with the natural world. 

As well as a specially designed travelling exhibition created by the British Library, our display will reflect the collections in the Mitchell Library, with some surprising stories behind the books!

This is the fourth in a series of blogs bringing together images and information from the exhibition - it explores the fascinating history of one book from the display.

Imagine a book that has traveled through centuries, not just accumulating knowledge within its pages, but gathering the very essence of its owners' lives. This is a specific copy of Gerarde’s Herbal, the horticultural bible first published in 1597. Its full, grand title from the 1633 edition — The herball or Generall historie of plantes / Gathered by Iohn Gerarde of London Master in Chirurgerie very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Iohnson citizen and apothecarye of London — hints at the knowledge within, but it’s the human stories etched within this particular volume that truly blossom.

Turn the first pages, and you'll find a silent chorus of past owners. Written in various hands are names, each a whisper from history. Among the earliest, two women stand out: Mary Harris and Mary Wilson, who, with the simple yet powerful declaration "her book," claimed their ownership in a time when female literacy and property were not always assured

In 1898, this cherished volume found a new home. It was a thoughtful gift from a tenacious friend, Miss Longfield, to Robertha (Bertha) Anderson (1846 – 1918). The effort Miss Longfield went to is beautifully documented in a letter pasted inside – a bookseller named William Downing chasing her across Europe, even to the Hotel d'Angleterre in Paris, to give her the news that he had tracked down this botanical treasure.

Bertha's love for this book is evident not just in her ownership, but in a truly unique touch: she designed and embroidered its beautiful cover herself. 

The story continues with a second, poignant letter from Bertha’s sister, Marianna Anderson, to James Whitton (1850 – 1925), Glasgow’s Director of Parks, written on 30th December 1918, shortly after Bertha’s death.

"I know Miss Bertha would like you to have this Herbal," Marianna writes, recognizing its value and Whitton's appreciation for it. She notes Bertha's name within and adds Whitton's, alongside the date of her sister's passing, weaving his name into the book's living history.

The Anderson sisters themselves offer a fascinating glimpse into Victorian life. Marianna, heading a household of seven sisters at Barskimming House in Ayrshire, lived a life far from conventional. Their 1901 Census return lists their occupations as "Pony Breaker, Gardener, Iron Worker and Leather Worker," revealing women of significant wealth who were deeply, physically involved in running their estate. This context makes Bertha's hand-embroidered cover even more remarkable – a blending of practical skill and artistic expression.

The book’s journey doesn't end there. Following in the footsteps of Mary Harris and Mary Wilson, James Whitton's own daughter, Mary, and granddaughter, Jessie, have also proudly signed their names. After Whitton’s death, this extraordinary book, a cornerstone of his personal library, was bequeathed to Glasgow's Parks Department and eventually found its permanent home at the Mitchell Library in 1967 as part of the "Whitton Bequest."

This isn't just an old book; it’s a tangible link to generations of lives, a vibrant archive of personal connections, and a testament to the enduring power of a truly well-loved object. The clues left within its pages reveal a rich, untold history, far beyond the plants it describes.

Check out the other blogs in this series:

Unearthed: Plants as medicine

Unearthed: Gardening to feed

Unearthed: Jane and John Loudon

Our exhibition is open in the Granville Street exhibition area from 2nd May - 10th August 2025.