Friends of Karori Cemetery - the story of George Glen

Julia Kennedy from Friends of Karori Cemetery

George Forrest Glen – keeper of the Botanic Gardens.

George was born in Haddington, Scotland in 1849 to William (an agricultural labourer) and his wife Isabella Forrest. He commenced his career in the ’70s as an apprentice gardener in the gardens of the Marquis of Tweeddale at Haddington. He then spent time working in the gardens of the Viceroy of Ireland (Earl of Wemyss), Earl Kinnoul and Earl Fitzwilliam. It was his work at Wentworth that attracted the notice of Princess Mary of Teck and subsequently he produced designs for her own gardens.

George came with his family to New Zealand in the late 1890s and began farming in the Hutt Valley. But he was soon lured back to gardening and replaced George Gibb as keeper of the Botanic Gardens in 1901, seeing out forty other applicants. In 1904 he was appointed superintendent of Baths and Reserves.

George made a number of changes to the garden. His vision was to create a ‘horticultural zoo’. He also established popular bedding displays and events. The huge project of filling and developing the Anderson Park gully as a recreation reserve was also commenced.

Over his career he had the oversight of Newtown Park, parts of the Town Belt, the Basin Reserve, the cemeteries, Kelburn Park and other open city spaces.

With the increasing workload, George’s health became affected and he resigned in 1918. The council granted him 6 months leave of absence in recognition of ‘his long and valued services to this city in respect to its parks and gardens’.

George died in 1924 aged 75. His wife Elizabeth (nee Carter) died in 1942 aged 88.
Plot Public 2/A/54

All images courtesy of Wellington Recollect.

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