Patrick Blair (surgeon) facts for kids

Patrick Blair (around 1670–1728) was a Scottish surgeon, a scientist who studied the body (anatomist), and a plant expert (botanist). He was also a member of the important Royal Society in London.

Patrick Blair's Life Story

No one is completely sure when Patrick Blair was born. Some people think he was born in 1675 near Perth. Others believe he was born in Dundee in 1666. He once wrote that he had been working for 28 years by 1719. This means he was likely born before 1672.

Early Career and Family Life

Patrick trained to become a surgeon. He spent some time in the Netherlands learning his skills. He might have even worked with the British Army there. He came back to Dundee just before 1702. In Dundee, he started working as a surgeon and a pharmacist. In 1702, he married Elizabeth Whyte. They had four children together: John, Henry, Elizabeth, and Isabell.

Studying an Elephant

In 1706, something very unusual happened. An elephant died on the road near Dundee. This female Indian elephant was about 26 years old. A showman from the Netherlands was touring her around Scotland. Patrick Blair decided to study the elephant's body.

He spent several weeks carefully dissecting it. He made detailed notes about all its bones, muscles, and organs. After his study, he had the elephant's skeleton put together. This skeleton was then put on display for people to see.

Patrick wrote a full description of his findings. He called his work Osteographia Elephantina. He sent it to Hans Sloane at the Royal Society in London in 1709. The Royal Society published his work in their journal in 1710. He received 100 merks for this important work. A merk was a type of Scottish coin.

Natural History and Moving Home

In 1708, Patrick Blair started a Natural History Society in Dundee. This group studied nature and science. They displayed many plant collections in a 'Physic Garden'. This garden later grew into a 'Hall of Rarities'. It was located somewhere near the Nethergate area in Dundee. In 1712, Patrick and his family moved to the small town of Coupar Angus.

Challenges and New Beginnings

In 1715, Patrick Blair joined a rebellion. This was led by the Earl of Mar. Patrick traveled with the rebel army into England. He was captured at the Battle of Preston in November 1715. He was then put in Newgate Prison in London.

Patrick said he was forced to join the army. Even so, he was sentenced to death. But he was saved at the last moment in April 1716. This happened because Hans Sloane and other Royal Society members asked for his release. He stayed in London until 1720. During this time, he kept publishing scientific papers. One paper in 1717 described a stomach condition. This was probably the first time it was ever written about.

Patrick and his family then settled in Boston, Lincolnshire. There, he focused on studying plants. He published several books and gave talks to the Royal Society. His book Botanick Essays from 1720 was very popular. It is probably his most famous work. In 1723, he started writing a book about all the plants in the British Isles. This book was called Pharmaco-Botanologia. He had only reached the letter 'H' when he passed away in February 1728.

Awards and Honours

University Degree

In 1712, Patrick Blair received a special medical degree. This was an MD degree from King's College. King's College is part of the University of Aberdeen.

Royal Society Fellow

On December 1, 1712, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. This is a very respected title for scientists.

How He Is Remembered

A place within the Ninewells Hospital site in west Dundee is named after him. It is called Patrick Blair Place.