This page features the prints of R.D. Fitzgerald (1875 - 1894).

Born 30/11/1830 at Tralee, Ireland Fitzgerald emigrated to Australia in 1856.  In 1873 he became Deputy Surveyor General of NSW. In his personal time he was botanist, artist, ornithologist, taxidermist and poet.  He was an avid writer on the orchids of Australia , it is not surprising he won numerous awards for his work Australian Orchids. The work itself has been admired as much for the accuracy of the drawings and quality of the lithography, as for its scientific content. He passed away 13/8/1892, leaving the book unfinished, completed posthumously by Henry Deane in 1894, from Fitzgerald's notes. In its complete state, it is considered to be one of the rarest books on orchids.

Interesting notes:

Fitzgerald was an acquaintance of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) correspondence regarding orchids, several references  to Fitzgerald in Darwin (1877), first volume of Australian orchids dedicated to Darwin.

Confusion regarding his surname - was it FitzGerald or Fitzgerald? [Suggest Fitzgerald as in Australian orchids or FitzGerald as in the facsimile reprint]  Also Christian names - was it Robert David or Robert Desmond ? [not yet resolved. Grandson cites him as Robert David in the facsimile reprint]

Originals of published drawings and unpublished drawings of Australian orchids at Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales - include 196 watercolor and pencil drawings with Fitzgerald's penciled notes.