William Hooker (botanical illustrator)

William Hooker (c. 1779 – 1832) was a British botanical illustrator. While details of his early life are scarce, he is known for his significant contributions to botanical publications during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Hooker worked primarily as a freelance illustrator, producing plates for a variety of botanical works. He is perhaps best known for his contributions to William Curtis's The Botanical Magazine, where his illustrations appeared regularly. He also contributed to other notable publications, including works by William Roscoe and others associated with the Liverpool Botanic Garden.

His style is characterized by its detailed accuracy and artistic flair, capturing the delicate forms and vibrant colors of the plants he depicted. Hooker's illustrations played a crucial role in disseminating botanical knowledge during a period of increased interest in plant exploration and classification. His work is valued by botanists and art historians alike for its scientific precision and aesthetic appeal. His son, Joseph Dalton Hooker, became a highly renowned botanist in his own right.