James Gordon (botanist)

James Gordon (1708 – 1780) was a Scottish nurseryman and botanist active in London during the 18th century. He is best known for establishing one of the largest and most influential plant nurseries of the time, located in Mile End, east of London.

Gordon's nursery, established around 1740, specialized in a wide variety of plants, including many exotic species newly introduced to Europe from around the globe. He was a prominent figure in the botanical community and corresponded with other leading botanists, collectors, and plant explorers, such as John Bartram in North America. He cultivated and sold plants brought back from expeditions, contributing significantly to the dissemination of new botanical discoveries throughout Britain.

Gordon was known for his expertise in plant propagation and cultivation. His nursery provided plants to many wealthy landowners and gardeners, helping to shape the landscape of estates across the country. While he did not publish extensively under his own name, he is mentioned in numerous contemporary botanical works and correspondence as a reliable source for rare and unusual plants. His contributions were crucial to the advancement of horticulture and the expansion of botanical knowledge in 18th-century Britain. He died in Mile End on January 25, 1780.