Collection OM/52 - Thomas Edmondston papers

Thomas Edmondston was born at Buness, Shetland, in September 1825, the eldest son of Laurence Edmondston, naturalist and physician. Thomas showed an interest in and aptitude for the study of botany and natural history from a young age, and in his teens made study visits to Edinburgh and other locations. In the 1840s, he studied medicine at Edinburgh University and later attended classes at Aberdeen University. Edmondston gave lectures on botany at Lerwick in 1843, and at Forres and Elgin in 1844, and published many articles on natural history, and a book on the flora of Shetland. He also corresponded with other natural historians. In January 1845, he was appointed Professor of Botany and Natural History at Anderson’s University. In May 1845, Edmondston had the opportunity to join the voyage of the 'Herald' to the Pacific and Californian coast, as naturalist. He died as a result of a tragic accident off the coast of Peru in January 1846.