William Townsend Aiton FRHS FLS (2 February 1766 – 9 October 1849) was an English botanist. He was born at Kew on 2 February 1766, the eldest son of William Aiton.[1]
He brought out a second and enlarged edition of the Hortus Kewensis in 1810–1813, a catalogue of the plants at Kew Gardens, the first edition of which was written by his father William Aiton. Aiton succeeded his father as director at Kew Gardens in 1793[1] and was commissioned by George IV to lay out the gardens at the Royal Brighton Pavilion and at Buckingham Palace Garden.[1]
Aiton was one of the founders and an active fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society.[1]
He retired in 1841 but remained living at Kew, although passing much of his time with his brother at Kensington where he died on 9 October 1849.[1] He is buried at Kew.[1]
