A Catalogue of Plants Growing in the Vicinity of Berwick Upon Tweed, published in 1807, marked the beginning of a prolific research career for a man whose work bridged the gap between military medicine and marine zoology. Over four decades, he balanced administrative hospital duties with intensive observations of crustacea and botanical specimens.
Early Education and Military Service
Born in Brooklyn on 19 November 1779, Thompson spent his formative years near Berwick-upon-Tweed. He attended the University of Edinburgh from 1797 to 1798, where he focused on anatomy, surgery, midwifery, and botany. In 1799, he joined the British Army. His military service took him to various international posts, including the West Indies and Guiana between 1800 and 1809, followed by assignments in Mauritius and Madagascar from 1812 to 1816.
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Thompson maintained rigorous research habits during his postings. In 1807, Francis Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth, presented two of Thompson's papers to the Linnean Society of London: one on the genus Kaempferia and another detailing new species of Piper. He was later elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society. His interest in exotic and local flora resulted in multiple catalogues, including a 1816 publication focused on exotic plants cultivated in Mauritius.
Zoological Research in Ireland
Posted to County Cork in 1816, Thompson served as surgeon to the forces and later as Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals. During this period, he produced extensive marine biological research. His 1828 volume, Zoological Researches and Illustration, became a significant reference for the period; Charles Darwin famously carried a copy on the second voyage of HMS Beagle. This work explored various animals, including memoirs on the pentacrinus europaeus and the star-fish genus Comatula.
Medical Practice and Final Years
In 1832, he authored a treatise on the nature and treatment of cholera, emphasizing its contagious properties. By 1835, he had moved to Sydney, Australia, to serve as Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals for New South Wales. He remained in this administrative role until his retirement in 1844. He died at his home in Sydney on 21 January 1847.
Fast facts
- Born: 19 November 1779, Brooklyn
- Died: 21 January 1847, Sydney
- Education: University of Edinburgh
- Military Rank: Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals
- Key Recognition: Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
- Citizenship: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Questions readers ask
What scientific discovery did he make regarding marine animals?
He identified the metamorphosis of the Cirripedes, known as Lepades, confirming their biological affinity with Crustacea.
Did his medical research influence his later career?
Yes, his experience informed his 1832 publication on the nature of cholera, where he argued for its contagious nature and outlined preventative measures.
