Robert Southey (gardener)

Robert Southey was gardener at Westminster Abbey from 1692 to 1722. He also held the post of Keeper of the Orchards and tended the lamps in the precincts. He was buried in the south cloister on 31st August 1722 but no grave inscription has been recorded for him. During his time a garden was made in the Little Cloister (the area where the clergy of the Church lived) in 1706 which included hollies, roses, crocuses and box edging. He would also have tended the larger College Garden.

His first wife Dorcas had been buried in the cloister on 30th September 1706. His second wife Anne was buried on 2nd December 1765. She was appointed to the post of gardener and lamplighter after Robert's death and held the office until her death, aged 93. At this period it was often the case that the widow took over the business of her deceased husband. Their daughter Deborah was buried with her father on 24th February 1752 aged 39.