Patrick Neill was a printer by trade and an amateur botanist. He was a founder member of the Caledonian Horticultural Society from 1809, and its Secretary for 40 years.
In 1820 Neill laid out West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh with 77,000 trees and shrubs. His own garden at Canonmills Cottage, near Edinburgh, was renowned for its collection of exotics.
Neill wrote the article on 'Gardening' in the 7th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1840).
www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19865, accessed 29 April 2008.