George Swinton (botanist)

George Swinton (born 1783, died 1854) was a Scottish civil servant and botanist who served in the East India Company. He held prominent positions including Chief Secretary to the Government of India. While his primary career was in administration, he maintained a strong interest in natural history, particularly botany.

Swinton is primarily known for his association with the development of botanical gardens in India, including the Agri-Horticultural Society of India in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He actively supported the collection and cultivation of plant species, contributing to the growth of botanical knowledge in the region. He corresponded with prominent botanists of his time and facilitated the exchange of plant specimens and information.

While he may not have authored extensive botanical publications himself, his influence lay in his patronage and support for botanical research and horticulture within the British administration in India. He is remembered as a key figure in the establishment and promotion of botanical institutions during the period of British influence in India. His contributions were crucial to the advancement of botanical science within the context of the East India Company's activities.