The papers of Robert Albert Phillips, botanist, (1866-1945) contain 60 letters sent to him by Matilda C. Knowles, author of The lichens of Ireland. These are mainly upon the subjects of vascular and cryptogramic botany and cover the period from 1905 until Matilda Knowles' death in 1932. Many of the letters are addressed from the Department of Science and Art, later the National Museum of Ireland.

'June 29. 1905 Dear Mr Philips Though I don't think you and I have ever met I have been hearing such a lot about you lately from my friends in Limerick that I seem to know you quite well. You must therefore forgive me for troubling you about this grass that was sent me by Miss O'Brien from Foynes Island a few days ago..'.

In another she says of her collector that she is prone to introduce plants: 'She generally draws the line at Poisonous plants....But if the wood is anywhere near her garden I would be very suspicious of it being even self sown. I am always scolding her about it but I can do no good with her', July, 1905.

Many of the letters mention people, lectures, field trips, as well as the identification of plants.
In one of her last letters, 11 March 1932, she writes:' I am trying to get together a collection of photographs of Irish Field Botanists to frame and hang on the walls of the stair case coming up to the Botanical Division. Can you give me one of yours?'

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