Foremost among Hill’s many interests was botany. His connections with the scientific community extended to Sir Hans Sloane, and later Lord Bute who was George III’s mentor. In 1761 Lord Bute obtained for Hill the post of gardener at Kensington Palace botanical gardens. The plants in Exotic botany were mainly from the collection of his patron Lord Northumberland, who had extensive hothouses. Acquired by George III Cat. 185