Anna Maria Hussey’s Mushroom Illustrations

An extraordinary record of British fungi and female scientific achievement, this volume showcases the pioneering work of Anna Maria Hussey and her visionary approach to art and mycology.

First published in the mid-nineteenth century, Hussey’s seminal work, Illustrations of British Mycology (1847—55), is celebrated for its exquisitely detailed study of mushrooms native to Britain. Co-illustrated by her sister, Frances Reed, this edition brings together stunning facsimile plates from the original pulication, accompanied by a collection of period writings that frame the work in the context of nineteenth-century mycology.

Showcasing the groundbreaking nature of early mycology and the pioneering women who helped define it, this edition from Art Meets Science celebrates the intersection of creative expression and scientific discovery. Explore Anna Maria Hussey’s legacy as Britain’s first female mycologist in this brilliant volume for fungal enthusiasts, art lovers, and all who find wonder in the natural world.

Reviews:

“Mycology has great charms. If any doubt, let them study Mrs. Hussey’s book.”—The Morning Post, 1851

“The figures are so faithful, that there can be no difficulty in at once determining which certainty the objects are intended to represent; and the observations… will be found of much interest to the general reader.”—The Gardeners’ Chronicle, 1801