Patrick Neill (October 25, 1776 to September 3, 1851 ) was one of the gentleman scientists who were the mainstay of advance in the natural sciences for centuries. And he was part of that Scottish group said to have created the modern world. His scientific pursuits focused on botany. He wrote the Encyclopedia Britannica (7th edition) article on gardening. His books include A Tour through Orkney and Shetland (1806). Other publications include Proofs that the Beaver was a Native of Scotland (1819). His will left money to endow a medal for distinguished Scottish botanists, and another medal for distinguished Scottish naturalists.
He lived at Canonmills, described as a cottage near Edinburgh. According to his article in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography:
His own garden, ....was renowned for its exotics, and was always open to fellow naturalists. Of equal note was his collection of live animals, ‘cats, parrots, cockatoos, and animals of rare stamp, which were allowed full liberty in his establishment.'
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