John Fryer (travel writer) facts for kids
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John Fryer (born around 1650 – died March 31, 1733) was an English doctor. He is best known for writing about his travels in Persia (modern-day Iran) and India. He was also a member of the Royal Society, a famous group of scientists.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Fryer was the oldest son of William Fryer from London. In 1664, when he was about 14, he started studying at Trinity College, Cambridge. He worked hard and earned his degree in medicine in 1671. After that, he continued his studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Journey to the East
Becoming a Surgeon for the East India Company
In 1672, John Fryer got a job as a surgeon for the British East India Company. This was a powerful trading company that operated in Asia. On December 9, 1672, he set sail from Gravesend, England, on a ship called the Unity.
Important Discoveries at Sea
During his long journey, Fryer made an important observation. When his ship stopped at Johanna (now called Nzwani) in the Comoro Islands, he noticed something interesting. He saw that eating oranges and limes helped prevent a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy was a common and dangerous disease for sailors on long voyages. It was caused by not getting enough vitamin C.
Arrival in India
After a year of traveling, John Fryer finally arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, in June 1673. Before reaching Bombay, he stopped at other places like Masulipatnam and Madras (now Chennai). These were early English settlements on the coast of India.
Life After Travel
Fryer stayed in the East for eight years, exploring and working. He returned to England in August 1682. Back home, he got married and had at least one daughter named Anna Maria Sanderson.
Joining the Royal Society
In 1697, John Fryer was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This was a great honor for a scientist. The next year, in 1698, he published his most important book. It was called A New Account of East-India and Persia. This book shared all his detailed observations from his travels.
Fryer's Legacy
John Fryer died on March 31, 1733, in London. His books are still important today. They give us a look into what Mughal India and Persia were like in the late 1600s. He wrote carefully about the land (geology), the weather (meteorology), and the plants and animals (natural history) he saw.
