James Wallace (botanist) facts for kids

James Wallace was a Scottish doctor and plant expert who lived from about 1684 to 1724. He was known for his work with plants and for writing about history.

About James Wallace

James Wallace grew up in Orkney, Scotland. His father, also named James Wallace, was a minister there.

James became a doctor, earning an M.D. degree. He was part of an important Scottish adventure called the Darien scheme. This was an attempt to set up a Scottish trading colony in a place now known as Panama.

During his travels, James Wallace collected many plants. He shared these plants with famous scientists like James Petiver and Hans Sloane. These scientists were very interested in new plants from around the world.

Later, James Wallace became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of very important scientists in London. He also worked for the East India Company, a big trading company. We don't know much about his life after this time.

His Writings and Discoveries

James Wallace helped publish his father's book, Description of the Isles of Orkney. He edited it in 1693 and again in 1700. The second edition added new information about the plants and shells found in Orkney.

In 1700, James Wallace wrote an article for the Philosophical Transactions. This was a science journal published by the Royal Society. His article was about his journey from Scotland to Darien. It also gave a short description of the Darien country.

James Wallace also wrote a book called ‘History of Scotland from Fergus I to the Commencement of the Union’. This history book was published in Dublin in 1724.