John Jeremiah Bigsby facts for kids

John Jeremiah Bigsby (born August 14, 1792 – died February 10, 1881) was an English physician. He became famous for his work in geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. He became interested in geology while serving in the military in Canada from 1818 to 1826.

Bigsby was also a member of the American Philosophical Society. Before moving to London, he served as a local leader (Alderman) and Mayor of Newark-upon-Trent. In 1850, he wrote an exciting book about his travels in British North America called The Shoe and Canoe.

His most important science book, Thesaurus Siluricus, came out in 1868. This book listed all the fossils found in the Silurian rock layer around the world. He also wrote many papers for science groups in London. In 1874, he received the Murchison Medal for his geology work. Later, in 1876, he created the Bigsby Medal to honor other geologists.

Early Life and Education

John Jeremiah Bigsby was born in 1792 in Nottingham, England. He was the oldest son of John Bigsby, who was also a doctor. Like his father, John Jeremiah Bigsby studied at Edinburgh University. He earned his degree as a Doctor of Medicine in 1814.

After finishing his studies, he worked as a doctor at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. In 1816, he joined the British Army as an assistant surgeon. He was first stationed in South Africa in 1817. The next year, he was sent to British North America (now Canada). He was based in Quebec City. Later, he went to Hawkesbury to help treat a serious illness called typhus among Irish immigrants.

His Work in Geology

While in Canada, John Jeremiah Bigsby became very interested in geology. In 1819, he was asked to study and report on the geology of Upper Canada. He was the first person to explore and describe the Oak Ridges Moraine, which is a large ridge of hills.

In 1822, he became the British secretary and medical officer for the Boundary Commission. This group helped map the borders between Canada and the United States. For several years, he did important geology research during this time. He wrote articles for the American Journal of Science and other science magazines. He later shared his travel stories in his book, The Shoe and Canoe (1850).

Bigsby returned to England in 1827. He worked as a doctor in Newark-on-Trent until 1846. Then he moved to London, where he lived for the rest of his life. In London, he became very active in the Geological Society of London. He had been a member since 1823. In 1869, he became a member of the Royal Society, a very important science group.

In 1874, the Geological Society of London gave him the Murchison Medal. For the last twenty years of his life, he worked hard on lists of fossils from ancient rocks called Palaeozoic rocks. His book Thesaurus Siluricus was published in 1868. Another book, Thesaurus Devonico-Carboniferus, came out in 1878.

In 1877, he created the Bigsby Medal. This medal is given by the Geological Society of London to young geologists, usually under 45 years old. John Jeremiah Bigsby passed away in London on February 10, 1881.