Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
Founded in 1698, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) was originally an Anglican mission intended to encourage Christian education. Since its founding, the SPCK has always had a commitment the printed text.
In the 18th century, the SPCK expanded its focus to include the British colonies. During this period, it established many parish libraries in the American colonies. As the 19th century progressed, the SPCK also expanded its operations into the East Indies.
From the SPCK's perspective, spreading useful knowledge was a Christian duty. To carry out this duty, the SPCK also published popular works on a wide variety of general subjects. Topics included botany, zoology, engineering, health, education, and history.
One of these works included Anne Pratt's Poisonous, Noxious, and Suspected Plants, of our Fields and Woods [1866]. Pratt was known as one of the best botanical illustrators of the Victorian age.