John Mitchell (geographer) facts for kids
John Mitchell (born April 13, 1711 – died February 29, 1768) was an important colonial American physician and botanist. He is most famous for creating a very detailed map of eastern North America in the 1700s. This map is known today as the Mitchell Map. It was first published in 1755, just before the Seven Years' War. Later, it was used during the Treaty of Paris (1783) to draw the borders of the new United States. Even today, it helps solve arguments about borders.
Contents
Who Was John Mitchell?
Early Life and Studies
John Mitchell was born in 1711 in Lancaster County, Virginia. His family was quite well-off, involved in trade and farming. He traveled to Scotland to study at the University of Edinburgh. He earned a master's degree in 1729. Then, he studied medicine until 1731, but he did not get a medical degree.
After his studies, he returned to Virginia to work as a doctor. By 1735, he had his own practice in Urbanna. In his free time, he loved to study natural history, especially plants. He became known as a skilled botanist. In 1744, he was chosen to be a member of the first American Philosophical Society.
Moving to London
In 1746, Mitchell and his wife, Helen, moved to Britain. They hoped the milder climate would be better for their health. On their journey, their ship was captured by a French privateer. They were set free, but their belongings and Mitchell's plant samples were taken. They arrived in London with very little money.
Mitchell decided not to compete with other doctors in London. Instead, he became an expert on unusual plants from other countries. In 1748, he was elected as a member of the Royal Society. This was a big honor for scientists. They said he was a "Gentleman of great merit and Learning." They also noted his knowledge of North American plants from his time in Virginia.
Mitchell lived in London for the rest of his life. He often visited the country homes of his wealthy friends. He wrote articles and pamphlets. He passed away in 1768.
The Famous Mitchell Map
Mitchell's most important work was his large map of the North American colonies. It was first printed in 1755. This map was the most complete map of eastern North America made during the colonial period. It was used as the main map during the Treaty of Paris in 1783. This treaty set the borders for the newly independent United States. The map remained important for solving border arguments between the United States and Canada, even as recently as the 1980s.
Ideas on Human Appearance
In 1744, Mitchell wrote a paper called An Essay upon the Causes of the Different Colours of People in Different Climates. He sent it to the Royal Society in London. In this paper, Mitchell suggested that the first human skin color might have been a brownish-red. He thought that an "intermediate tawny color" found among people in Asia and Native Americans was the original human complexion. He believed that other skin colors developed over many generations as people lived in different climates.
