With William Curtis (founder of Curtis Botanical Magazine) as has mentor, Sydenham T. Edwards (1769?-1819) came to London from Wales. After serving as the principal artist of Curtis Botanical Magazine for its first 28 years, Edwards severed his connection with William Curtis' successor in 1815 and began this rival periodical, Botanical Register, 1815-47.

Vols. 1-13 were published 1815-27, with designs principlly by Edwards, M. Hart and Miss Drake. They were followed by Vol. 14 and New Series, Vol. 1, in 1828 and continued by J.L. Lindley as Vols. 15-33 and New Series Vols. 2-20 from 1829-47.