Lydia Byam

Lydia Byam Sutton (baptised 1772 – 28 January 1854) was a British botanical illustrator known for her works depicting plants from the Caribbean.

These are important for the role they played in garnering interest in botany of the Caribbean islands and the dietary and medicinal benefits they offered.

[citation needed] Lydia Byam was born to parents William Byam (a lawyer and member of the Privy Council in Antigua, died and was buried in St. Georges, Antigua in 1779) and Martha Rogers (daughter of Edward Rogers).

[2] In 1835, Lydia and her daughter received £1,706 (equivalent to £212,000 in 2023) in slave compensation following the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire.

[3] The prominence of the Byam family on the island is clear from the will her father wrote, describing the extensive estate and slaves he owned.