Robert Fortune

Robert Fortune (1812–1880) was a Scottish botanist and plant hunter known for his extraordinary efforts in collecting and transporting tea plants from China to develop the tea industry in India and other regions. During a time when China tightly guarded its tea cultivation secrets, Fortune’s covert missions involved disguises and careful planning to smuggle tea plants and knowledge out of China. His work significantly contributed to the global spread of tea cultivation beyond China, impacting international trade and agriculture. Fortune's explorations are considered pivotal in the history of botany and the economic development of the tea industry.