Frederick Hamilton Davey

Frederick Hamilton Davey (1868–1915) was a British amateur botanist who devoted most of his leisure time to the study of the flora of Cornwall, England.

In 1899, Davey met ornithologist and plant collector A. O. Hume, C.B., founder of the South London Botanical Institute, who was to accompany him on tours of Devon and Cornwall.

This was clearly a seminal event, which led to Davey beginning his major opus, Flora of Cornwall, for which he was to become renowned.

The Flora was a formidable undertaking, with little time available, neither library nor herbarium accessible, and no existing works to consult.

Nevertheless, with the aid of his band of voluntary helpers recruited through the offices of the Royal Institution of Cornwall and a letter to the local paper, he completed the Flora.