James Sutherland (c. 1639–1719) was the first Professor of Physic (Botany) at the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...

, from 1676 to 1705. He was intendant of the Physic Garden (later to evolve into the Royal Botanic Garden on a new site), and his innovative publication ''Hortus Medicus Edinburgensis'' placed Scotland at the forefront of European botany. He was also a renowned coin collector.https://www.britnumsoc.org/publications/Digital%20BNJ/pdfs/1996_BNJ_66_8.pdf Although known for his abilities as a

herbalist Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...

and his enthusiasm for plants, Sutherland was just a youth when first recruited by Dr (later Sir) Robert Sibbald and Dr (later Sir) Andrew Balfour to take care of their burgeoning plant collection. Initially this was at the

Palace of Holyroodhouse The Palace of Holyroodhouse ( or ), commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh ...

garden, but in 1675, when land was acquired in the grounds of Trinity Hospital, over which Edinburgh

Waverley station Edinburgh Waverley railway station (also known simply as Waverley; gd, Waverley Dhùn Èideann) is the principal railway station serving Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central. It is the north ...

has now been built, Sutherland was appointed Intendant of the (Town)

Physic Garden A physic garden is a type of herb garden with medicinal plants. Botanical gardens developed from them. History Modern botanical gardens were preceded by medieval physic gardens, often monastic gardens, that existed by 800 at least. Gardens of ...

. Within eight years Sutherland had published a list of the 2000 or so plants grown in the latter garden, his "Hortus Medicus Edinburgensis", the first botanical work to be published in Scotland. His prowess developed such that in 1695 the Town created a Chair of Botany for him, with responsibility for a further garden, the college (Physic) Garden, by

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. Of greater import was Sutherland's involvement, in the same year, with supervision of the King's Garden, part of the Royal Garden at Holyrood, where he cultivated vegetables and medicinal herbs. It was undoubtedly his impact in this role that led, on 12 January 1699, to the first Royal Warrant connected with

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies ...

, appointing him as the first Regius Keeper and first King's Botanist, in addition to his Professorship and the Keepership of three gardens. In addition to his leadership of all things botanical in the city, Sutherland had a great reputation as an antiquary and numismatist, activities to which he chose to devote more time in the later part of his long life.

Works

* ''Hortus Medicus Edinburgensis'' (1683)

References

Academics of the University of Edinburgh 17th-century Scottish botanists Year of birth unknown 1719 deaths Year of birth uncertain Herbalists Scottish antiquarians Scottish numismatists Place of birth missing {{Scotland-botanist-stub