Leonard Boodle papers

This collection includes records that contain terminology, language or images which are outdated, offensive, or upsetting. While this does not align with RBGKs views and values today, the content is representative of the time and context in which the records were created, and our team are reviewing our collections and policies to determine how these records can be appropriately described, showcased, and discussed to ensure they are placed within this context and are accessible to everyone.

We are committed to enhancing and improving our catalogue descriptions and promoting transparency around our collections, so please get in touch with any feedback or comments about the catalogue at archives@kew.org

Collection includes ms notes of Boodles report on the plant material found in Tutankhamun's tomb, one file of copies of correspondence between Boodle and Howard Carter c.1932, and one letter from Boodle to Dallimore relating to Howard Carter’s specimens, dated 8 November 1932.

Leonard Alfred Boodle was born 1865 at Abbey Gardens, St. Johns Wood, London.

He was educated at Kings College School, Wimbledon and later at the Royal College of Science.

He began his career as a Demonstrator at the Royal College of Science under Dukinfield Henry Scott. During this time, his work focused mainly on marine algae. In 1889-1890 he collected marine algae along the coast of South Africa and presented these specimens to the British Museum (Natural History). When Scott moved to RGBK to work as honorary Keeper of the Jodrell laboratory, Boodle joined as Scott?s private assistant. Boodle was appointed Assistant at Kew in 1904 and when Scott resigned in 1906, Boodle took over the running of the Jodrell laboratory. Whilst at Kew Gardens, Boodle worked mainly on plant anatomy. He was appointed Assistant Keeper of the Jodrell laboratory in 1909. Boodle retired from Kew Gardens in May 1930.

He was elected a Fellow of the Linnaean Society in 1888. In 1912, Boodle married Mrs Emery. Boodle died on 22 August 1941