Shirley: The Life of a Botanical Adventurer

Dr. Shirley Sherwood is a scientist, author, traveler, gardener, and mother and grandmother. After the tragic death of her husband, she worked on the Nobel Prize-winning team that developed Tagamet and restored the Orient-Express train. She also created the Orient-Express Hotels company and pioneered new train routes across the Alps. Her most lasting achievement is the Shirley Sherwood Collection of contemporary botanical art, which includes over 1,000 paintings and drawings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 17 January 2024
Publisher: Unicorn Publishing Group

Dr. Shirley Sherwood, a remarkable scientist, author, travel writer, gardener, and mother and grandmother, lived a life of adventure. Tragically, her husband, Michael Cross, a brilliant scientist, met an untimely end in a freak air crash in 1964, leaving her as a 30-year-old widow with two young boys, aged four and three. For the next twelve years, she dedicated herself to a groundbreaking project as a key member of the Nobel Prize-winning team that developed Tagamet, the first blockbuster drug, with annual sales exceeding $1 billion.

After her marriage to Jim Sherwood in 1977, Shirley left science behind to focus entirely on the restoration of the legendary Orient-Express train, considered one of the most luxurious and exotic forms of travel ever devised. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which connected London and Venice, was relaunched in 1982, marking a remarkable 99-year journey since its inaugural voyage. Shirley's account of the project's history sold over 400,000 copies, solidifying her reputation as a captivating storyteller.

But the Sherwoods' journey didn't end there. They embarked on a series of ambitious endeavors, creating the five-star Orient-Express Hotels company (now Belmond), which owned some of the world's finest hotels, including the Cipriani in Venice, the Mount Nelson in Cape Town, and the Copacabana Palace in Rio. They pioneered new train routes across the majestic Alps, introduced the Eastern & Oriental Express, a luxurious train service connecting Singapore and Bangkok, traversing the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai, and opening up tourism in Myanmar with the first cruise ship to operate on the Irrawaddy. Their impact extended even further as they took over the railways of Peru, which extended all the way to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

Undoubtedly, Shirley's most lasting achievement is the Shirley Sherwood Collection of contemporary botanical art, which she initiated in 1990 and has since grown to encompass over 1,000 paintings and drawings. This remarkable collection showcases the beauty and diversity of plant life, reflecting Shirley's deep passion for nature and her commitment to conservation.

Dr. Shirley Sherwood's life is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her remarkable journey from a young widow to a pioneering entrepreneur and art collector has inspired countless individuals, reminding us that adversity can be transformed into opportunity and that dreams can become a reality with unwavering dedication.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 230 x 282 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911397892