Genus Kennedia

For John Kennedy (1759–1842) English nurseryman, son of Lewis Kennedy (c 1721–1782) the original founder of the Kennedy and Lee nursery, together with his partner James Lee (1715–1795). Started in about 1745 and in operation for three generations, the nursery they ran in Hammersmith, west of London, was called The Vineyard. John Kennedy, who was raised in the business from a young age, succeeded his father on his death as did James Lee (the younger) (1754–1824). Among John Kennedy’s clients was Empress Josephine, Napoleon I’s first wife. He was a frequent contributor to the first five volumes of The Botanist’s Repository (1799–1803), writing most of the notes, as well as providing the illustrations, and he also wrote A Treatise Upon Planting, Gardening, and the Management of the Hot House (1777).