Skip to main content

Henry Hicks Papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS970

Scope and Contents of the Records

This collection contains both personal and professional papers of Henry Hicks. Included in the collection are numerous Hicks Nurseries publications such as catalogs, price lists, solicitations, and monographs that Hicks authored to help educate and inspire potential gardeners. Also within the collection, are a large number of pamphlets that Hicks collected, reflecting a wide range of topics. Writings contain articles and papers that Hicks authored, including his Cornell thesis from 1892. Other material, such as biographical information, correspondence, books and clippings, provide insight into Hicks’ interests and professional affiliations. An abundance of marginalia is present throughout the collection.

Dates

  • 1860-1953

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research.

Restrictions on Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Henry Hicks (1870-1954) was born in 1870 in Westbury, Long Island, New York. In 1892 he graduated from New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell (now Cornell University) with a degree in agriculture, after studying under renowned horticulturalist Liberty Hyde Bailey. Hicks married Caroline Jackson in 1900 and they had three children, Ester (Mrs. John M. G. Emory) in 1902, Edwin in 1906, and William in 1910. Hicks was the first college-trained horticulturist in the family business, Hicks Nurseries, which was established in Westbury, Long Island, in 1853 by Hicks’ grandfather, Isaac Hicks, a farmer and Quaker preacher. Hicks’ father, Edward Hicks, developed tree moving machinery that the nursery used to specialize in tree moving during the time large estates were being built on Long Island from the early 1900s to the late 1920s. During Hicks’ lifetime he helped to expand Hicks Nurseries from 25 acres to 350 acres with 300 employees, and it remains today the oldest nursery on Long Island.

Henry Hicks corresponded with numerous leading horticulturists and plant explorers and held an interest in new and rare plants from Asia that were well suited to the northeastern climate. He was responsible for the reintroduction of the Shipmast Locust tree and the development of Taxus media hicksii or Hicks Yew that became a Long Island hedge favorite. Hicks was also a popular lecturer and an advocate of education to further interest young people in the field of botany. Extremely active in both professional associations and community affairs, Hicks worked tirelessly to help and inspire others to beautify the countryside and their gardens. Hicks was awarded several honors for his outstanding commitment to service, including the Johnny Appleseed Award from the Men’s Garden Clubs of America in 1943. Henry Hicks, well known as a modest, unselfish, and generous Quaker, died on October 20, 1954.

Extent

6.25 linear ft.

Language

English

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged alphabetically by assigned topical headings.

Acquisition Information

Gift of David Emory, 1993 (CGL 1993.06), 1994 (CGL 1994.11), 1996 (CGL 1996.11).

General Physical Description note

Extent: 6.25 linear ft. (15 document cases)

Processing Information

Collection processed in 2009.

Title
Henry Hicks Papers, 1860-1953, undatedahc.MSS 970
Author
Inventory prepared by Jennie Oldfield
Date
March 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040