James Clark (physician in Dominica) facts for kids

Dr. James Clark (1737-1819) was a Scottish doctor and plantation owner. He is strongly connected to the history of Dominica. He became famous for his important work on yellow fever. His studies on this disease earned him a place in the respected Royal Society of London and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Dr. Clark was not only a physician but also a chemist and a natural historian. He made big steps forward in understanding how contagious diseases spread.

Life of James Clark

James Clark started his career as a doctor in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the mid-1700s.

Around 1770, he sailed to Dominica, a Caribbean island. There, he bought a sugar plantation which is still known today as Clark Hall Estate. He also owned coffee plantations. During his 40 years on the island, he became very wealthy. He also helped govern the island as a member of the King's Council.

In Dominica, Dr. Clark spent a lot of time with another Scottish plantation owner, Dr. James Laing. Dr. Laing owned the Shillingford Estate, which produced Macoucherie Rum. Dr. Laing is known for donating the famous 61-minute clock to Crimond Church in Scotland. This clock originally came from his estate.

Yellow Fever Study

In 1793, a serious outbreak of yellow fever hit Dominica. Yellow fever was one of the deadliest tropical diseases at that time. The outbreak started on June 15 from a sailor in the harbor. The disease had come from Grenada on a ship called the Hankey.

Dr. Clark carefully studied this outbreak, which lasted for three years. He published his findings in 1797. His study looked at why the disease spread. It was one of the first studies to suggest that mosquitoes might play a role in spreading diseases. He also wrote about the symptoms of yellow fever and ways to prevent it.

His study also discussed other diseases like typhus, dysentery, cholera, and tetanus. Dr. Clark also chemically analyzed the hot mineral springs on the island. He assessed their healing properties. He noticed that people new to the island, no matter their background, were more likely to get yellow fever. This suggested that people who had lived there for a long time might have some immunity.

Recognized for His Work

Dr. Clark was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1791. This was before his famous yellow fever study. His main supporter for this honor was James Hutton, a well-known geologist.

Because of his important yellow fever study, he was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1799. He was also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (1792). Additionally, he was a Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries and the Society of Arts.

Around 1810, Dr. Clark returned to Britain, likely to retire. He lived in the Hatton Garden area of London, near his daughter's home. He passed away in Hatton Garden, London, on January 21, 1819.

Family Life

In Dominica, James Clark had a partner named Mary Clark. She was of African and European heritage. They had four children who survived: two sons and two daughters.

His two daughters, Ann Eliza Clark and Sarah Clark, moved back to Britain. Ann Eliza married a Mr. Sim from Hatton Garden. His son, George Clark, became a millwright in Jamaica. Later, he became a merchant in Rotterdam. Another son, Edward Clark, worked as a clerk on Dominica.

When James Clark died, George inherited the Clark Hall Estate. George was one of many thousands of people who received money when Britain passed the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. This act ended slavery in most of the British Empire.