Jeremy Bentham was his uncle; George worked as his secretary, and inherited his estate. William Hooker helped persuade Bentham not to give up botany, offering him a job at Kew; his son Joseph Hooker was a close colleague, collaborating on Bentham’s magnum opus. De Candolle was a close friend and colleague. Bentham corresponded extensively with Darwin (as well as visiting him, and eventually being persuaded by his ideas); with Torrey; and with his warm friend and colleague Gray.