Alfred Neighbor

Alfred Neighbour was a London-based apiarian specialist in the 19th century. Historical records connected with Charles Darwin’s correspondence describe him as a merchant and bee expert who continued his father George Neighbour’s firm, a business known for selling beekeeping equipment.

He is best remembered for The Apiary; or, Bees, Bee-Hives, and Bee Culture, a practical guide to the habits of bees and the management of hives. The book was written to be useful for a wide range of readers, from beginners to more scientific beekeepers, and it reflects the strong Victorian interest in natural history and careful observation.

Although detailed biographical information is limited, his name remained closely associated with beekeeping literature and equipment. That lasting link suggests he was not only an author, but also an important part of the wider 19th-century world of British apiculture.