1809- 1821 Sir William Hooker, the famous botanist, is a part owner of the Bridge Street Maltings and lives in Brewery House (now Hooker House). He becomes Professor of Botany at Glasgow University and the first Director of Kew Gardens.

His son, Joseph, born in Halesworth, follows in his father's footsteps becoming a renowned botanist in his own right. He takes part in a voyage to Antartica as surgeon and botanist. His illustrated account of the voyage takes up three large volumes. He is a friend and correspondent of Darwin and it is said that he encouraged and supported Darwin in the writing of "The Origin of Species".

Joseph becomes the second director of Kew Gardens on the death of his father. At the age of eighty he is knighted by Queen Victoria. He continues to travel the world well into his mid eighties. see also...