John White (surgeon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John White
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| Born | c.1756 Drumaran, Belcoo, County Fermanagh
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| Died | 20 February 1832 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Citizenship | Kingdom of Ireland and, later, British |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | surgeon, zoologist, botanist |
| Institutions | Royal Navy |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | J.White |
| Author abbrev. (zoology) | White |
John White (born around 1756 – died 1832) was an Irish surgeon and a keen collector of plants. He is best known for being the main surgeon on the First Fleet, which brought the first European settlers to Australia. He also wrote an important book describing many new Australian animals and plants.
Contents
A Life of Discovery
John White was born in a small area called Drumaran, near Belcoo, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, around 1756. He did not come from England, as some older books mistakenly said.
In 1778, John White became a qualified surgeon's mate after passing an exam in London. Soon after, he joined the Royal Navy, working on ships like HMS Wasp. By 1780, he was promoted to surgeon. He served on HMS Irresistible until 1786.
Journey to Australia
A very important moment in White's life came when he was chosen to be the main naval surgeon for the First Fleet. This fleet was a group of ships that sailed from England to Australia in 1787. Their mission was to establish the first European colony in New South Wales.
White joined the fleet in Plymouth, England. He was assigned to the convict transport ship Charlotte. He noticed that the convicts on board had been eating only salty meat, which was not good for a long journey. He worked hard to get them fresh meat and vegetables. He also made sure they could come up on deck for fresh air. This helped keep them healthier during the long voyage.
When the fleet arrived in Australia in 1788, White had a special silver medal made. It was engraved by a convict named Thomas Barrett to remember the arrival. This medal, known as the "Charlotte Medal", is now on display in Australia's Australian National Maritime Museum.
Surgeon-General in New South Wales
In 1788, John White became the Surgeon-General of New South Wales. This meant he was in charge of all medical care for the new colony. He set up a hospital, even though it was difficult because there weren't enough medical supplies.
White became very interested in the unique plants and animals of Australia. He started looking into whether Australian plants could be used as medicine. He noticed the strong smell of eucalyptus trees and, in 1788, he was the first to extract eucalyptus oil. This oil is still used today for its medicinal properties.
Writing and Discoveries
John White wrote a famous book called A Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, which was published in 1790. This book was very important because it described many Australian species for the first time. The Journal included 65 detailed pictures of birds, animals, and plants. Many of these pictures were based on the beautiful watercolor paintings by an artist named Sarah Stone. Over the next five years, White's book was translated into German and French, showing how important it was to scientists around the world.
White was also the first person to scientifically describe the Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea). This frog is found only in Australia and New Guinea and is sometimes called "White's tree frog" after him.
Return to England
White found life in Australia very challenging. He once wrote that it was "a country and place so forbidding and so hateful as only to merit execration and curses." He asked for permission to leave in 1792 and finally sailed back to England in 1794. He later traveled to Ireland.
In 1796, White decided not to return to Australia and resigned from his position. That same year, he became a member of the Linnean Society of London, a group for naturalists. In 1797, he received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of St Andrews.
John White continued to work as a surgeon in the Royal Navy. He was stationed at Sheerness and then at Chatham Dockyard for 20 years. He retired in 1820 and passed away in Worthing, England, in 1832.
Legacy
John White's name lives on in Australia. White Bay in Sydney is named in his honor.
He is also remembered in the scientific name of an Australian lizard species, Egernia whitii.
