Elizabeth Kent (writer)

Elizabeth Kent ('Bessy') was a nineteenth century British writer on botanical and horticultural matters.

Her best known work, Flora Domestica, written with Hunt, was published anonymously in 1823, and incorrectly attributed to Henry Phillips by FW Burbidge in his work on Narcissus (1875). Other works include Sylvan Sketches (1825). She wrote for the Magazine of Natural History, taught botany and wrote books for children.

Kent never married. Her sister was Marianne Kent, wife of Leigh Hunt, the English critic and writer. Through her brother-in-law, Hunt, she belonged to a circle (the Cockney School) of contemporary writers including Byron, Coleridge, Mary Shelley, and John Clare. She acted as Hunt's agent and amanuensis.