Ellen Eddy Shaw

Born in 1874 and dying in 1960, she was an American writer, editor, teacher, and gardening expert whose career centered on helping ordinary readers and young students understand plants, farming, and the natural world.

She is especially associated with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where she served for decades as Curator of Elementary Instruction. She was closely connected with the garden’s educational mission and is remembered for work that encouraged children to learn through direct experience with growing things.

She also wrote books and articles on gardening and farming, combining practical instruction with a strong belief that nature study should be lively, useful, and accessible. That mix of hands-on knowledge and clear teaching helped make her an important figure in early twentieth-century garden education.