| AdminHistory | Archibald Menzies was a Scottish botanist, surgeon and explorer. He is best known for being the naval surgeon aboard the ‘Discovery’ captained by George Vancouver (1757-1798) and for introducing the monkey puzzle tree into England.
Menzies was born on 15th March 1754 to his father James and mother Ann at the house of Stix or Styx near Aberfeldy, Perthshire and had four sisters and three brothers. He attended the Weem Parish School, after which he started working in the garden at Castle Menzies. He went on to obtain a post at the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, working under Dr John Hope, Professor of Botany at the University of Edinburgh.
Under the encouragement of Dr Hope, Menzies decided to study medicine at Edinburgh University, later becoming an assistant surgeon at Carnarvon. Thereafter, he took on the role of naval surgeon aboard 'HMS Nonsuch' under Captain Truscott, taking part in the victory over Comte de Grasse on 12th April 1782 under Admiral Sir George Rodney. Following the declaration of peace, Menzies served as a surgeon for the ‘Assistance’ at the Halifax station. During this time he collected specimens from regions such as the West Indies and the Eastern Coast of America.
Eager to set off for another voyage, Menzies was next appointed as surgeon on the ‘Prince of Wales’ commanded by Captain Colnett with the sloop ‘Princess Royal’. Setting off in September 1786, they journeyed around the North Pacific Ocean via Cape Horn, the voyage lasted three years. During this time, Menzies continued collecting plants and sending them back to England. He returned to Britain in July 1789, however, the urge to embark on another voyage was proving too strong and in a letter to Joseph Banks implored him to use his influence to get him sent by the Government on another voyage. In 1791, his wish was granted as he was appointed as naturalist aboard the ‘Discovery’ with Captain George Vancouver. On this voyage, they visited South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, the Sandwich Islands and the North-West Coast of America. Due to the ship’s surgeon falling ill whilst in North America, Menzies took up his post and thereafter served as both naturalist and surgeon on board the ship. Under his care, none of the crew died of scurvy and he was commended by Vancouver as only one man died of sickness for the whole duration of the voyage.
Although Menzies brought back with him many new variations of plants, it is the introduction of the Monkey Puzzle tree into Britain that he has had the most acclaim for. According to the story, in early 1795, whilst dining with the Viceroy of Chile, a bowl of nuts was presented during dessert which Menzies had never seen before, he therefore slipped some into his pocket. On return to the ship, he planted them in a glazed frame and by the time they reached Britain five had grown into young trees. The nuts turned out to be seeds for the Monkey Puzzle tree (Auraucaria Araucana) which had never before been seen in Britain.
He was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society on 19th January 1790 and upon his death left to the Society £100. On 24 July 1799 he was given the Diploma of M.D. by the University of Aberdeen and in the same year was also appointed surgeon on 'HMS Sans Pareil' under Captain Lord Hugh Seymour.
Following retirement from the Navy, Menzies continued practising as a doctor and surgeon in London. He died on 15th February 1842 at his residence at 2 Ladbrook Terrace, Notting Hill, aged eighty-eight. His Herbarium was donated to the Edinburgh Botanical Garden and J. E. Smith named the genus ‘Menziesia’ after him.
Menzies was buried alongside his wife in the Kensal Green Cemetery in London. |