James Edward Tierney Aitchison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Edward Tierney Aitchison
Photograph from the Kew archives
Born	28 October 1835 Neemuch, India
Died	30 September 1898 Kew Green, London
Occupation	surgeon and botanist

James Edward Tierney Aitchison (born October 28, 1835 – died September 30, 1898) was a Scottish doctor and plant expert. He was known for his important work in India, where he collected many different types of plants. He also wrote books about the plants he found.

He worked as a British official in Ladakh, India, in 1872. During this time, he gathered many plant samples. He then published lists of these plants, including ones that were useful for people. A group of plants was even named Aitchisonia after him, though this name is not used anymore.

Life Story of James Aitchison

James Aitchison was born in Neemuch, a place in central India. He was the second son of Major James Aitchison, who worked for the East India Company. His mother, Mary Turner, was the sister of John William Turner. Because of his mother, James became interested in plants when he was very young.

His family later moved back to Scotland. There, James went to schools like Lasswade Parish School and Dalkeith Grammar School. In 1858, he earned his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh.

Working as a Doctor and Explorer

After finishing his studies, James joined the Bengal Medical Service. He worked as a civil surgeon in Amritsar, where he also helped start a school. He later returned to England due to health reasons. During this time, he worked on a detailed list of plants found in Punjab and Sindh.

In 1872, he was chosen to be a special official in Ladakh. He collected nearly 10,000 plant samples from about 950 different plant types. He did this while serving with the 29th Punjab Regiment.

Later, in 1884, he joined the Afghan Boundary Commission as a naturalist. On this trip, he collected another 10,000 plant samples from 800 different species. His plant collections are now kept at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and in Calcutta.

Recognitions and Later Life

James Aitchison was recognized for his important work. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1881. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1883. These are very respected groups for scientists. In 1883, he was given the title of Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE).

He married Eleanor Carmichael in 1862. James Aitchison passed away in Kew Green, near London, on September 30, 1898.

His Published Works

James Aitchison wrote several important books and lists about his discoveries. These books helped others learn about the plants and animals he studied.

• A catalogue of the plants of the Punjab and Sindh (1869)
• The zoology of the Afghan Delimitation Commission (1888)