Dr. Howitt’s corner Dandenong Ranges

Von Guérard depicts a view looking east towards the Dandenongs across the Treasury Reserve. The high brick fence and garden belong to Dr Godfrey Howitt (1800–1873), physician and natural scientist. Howitt had studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and practised in both Leicester and Nottingham. In 1839 he immigrated with his family to Melbourne and, like Lieutenant Governor La Trobe, brought a pre-fabricated house with him. In 1845 he acquired land at the corner of Collins and Spring Streets, where he erected his home and established a large garden that extended to Flinders Lane. Howitt was involved with the Melbourne Hospital from its establishment, and was President and Honorary Physician of the Benevolent Asylum in North Melbourne. In recognition of his contribution to the study of botany and entomology, the Government Botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller, named a native mallow flower Howittia after him. After Howitt's death, his land was subdivided and in 1877 the building that occupies the site today was constructed. The Library holds an extensive collection of Eugene von Guérard's work, including a companion painting showing the view from the artist's own home in East Melbourne.