John Fleming (Gatton and Saltash MP) facts for kids

John Fleming (1747–1829) was a British surgeon, a scientist who studied nature (a naturalist), and a politician. He worked in India for many years.

While in India, he temporarily managed the Royal Botanic Garden in Calcutta (now Kolkata). This was before William Roxburgh took over permanently. Later, Fleming became a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK. He represented Gatton from 1818 to 1820 and Saltash from 1820 to 1826.

Fleming loved studying plants, even though it wasn't his main job. He was also a member of important scientific groups like the Royal Society of London, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the Linnean Society.

John Fleming's Life and Work

Early Career and Time in India

John Fleming studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. In August 1768, he joined the Indian Medical Service. This was a group of doctors who worked for the British in India. He started as an assistant surgeon in Bengal.

By 1771, he became a full surgeon. He later joined the medical board in 1786 and became its president in 1800.

Managing the Botanic Garden

After the death of Robert Kyd, Fleming temporarily took charge of the Royal Botanic Garden in Calcutta. This was a very important garden for studying plants. He managed it until William Roxburgh arrived to become the new superintendent.

Contributions to Science

Fleming wrote a book called A catalogue of Indian medicinal plants and drugs. This book listed many plants from India that could be used as medicine. It also included their names in Hindustani and Sanskrit languages. This work was published in a scientific journal called Asiatick Researches in 1810.

He retired in 1811 and returned to Britain in 1813. During his time in India, he made friends with other famous naturalists like Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and Thomas Hardwicke. He also wrote many letters to Sir Joseph Banks, a well-known botanist. Fleming even sent Banks plant samples, including a type of musk from Tibet.

Because of his important work with plants, a type of plant was named after him. The plant genus Flemingia was named by William Roxburgh in his honor.

Later Life and Recognition

After returning to Britain, Fleming continued his scientific connections. In 1813, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. This is a very respected group for scientists. In 1817, he also became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

He lived in London and passed away there on May 17, 1829. Years later, in 1916, a botanist named James Britten wrote a new obituary for Fleming. This helped clear up confusion with another person also named John Fleming.

Fleming's Plant and Animal Collections

In 1882, the Department of Botany at the University of London bought 13 large books of drawings. These drawings were of Indian plants, mostly from the Punjab area. John Fleming had organized these collections, but most of the drawings were made by Indian artists. Today, these valuable drawings are kept in the British Museum.

Another collection of paintings of animals, also made by Indian artists, is in the Victoria Memorial Museum in Kolkata, India.