John Alexander Smith (June 1818–17 August 1883) was a Scottish physician, antiquarian, archaeologist and ornithologist.

Life

He was born at 13 Hope Street, off

Charlotte Square 300px, Robert Adam's palace-fronted north side Charlotte Square is a garden square in Edinburgh, Scotland, part of the New Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is located at the west end of George Street and was intend ...

, in June 1818, the son of

James Smith (architect) James Smith (c. 1645–1731) was a Scottish architect, who pioneered the Palladian style in Scotland. He was described by Colen Campbell, in his ''Vitruvius Britannicus'' (1715–1725), as "the most experienced architect of that kingdom". Bio ...

, the last Master Mason of Scotland. He was educated at the

High School A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...

in Edinburgh then studied medicine 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 ...

receiving his doctorate (MD) in 1840. He set up practice as a GP in Edinburgh's West End at 7 West Maitland Street. In 1863 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer being

John Hutton Balfour John Hutton Balfour (15 September 1808 – 11 February 1884) was a Scottish botanist. Balfour became a Professor of Botany, first at the University of Glasgow in 1841, moving to the University of Edinburgh and also becoming the 7th Regius Kee ...

. From 1870 to 1873 he was Vice President of the

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is the senior antiquarian body of Scotland, with its headquarters in the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The Society's aim is to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland. The usua ...

. In 1874 he succeeded the late Dr Somerville as Treasurer of the

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) is a medical royal college in Scotland. It is one of three organisations that sets the specialty training standards for physicians in the United Kingdom. It was established by Royal charter ...

. From 1876 to 1879 he was President of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, having served 21 years as Treasurer. He died from a malignant tumour of the upper jaw, at home, 10 Palmerston Place, in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...

's West End on 17 August 1883. He never married and lived his final years with his sister and nephew.

Publications

*''Observations on some Negro Crania from Old Calabar'' (1869) *''Notes on the Ancient Cattle of Scotland'' (1872)BMJ obituary August 1883 *''Notes on Ancient Feeding Bottles for Infants'' (1870) *''Notes on the Shingle Roof of the Tower of the Canongate Tolbooth'' (1870) *''Notice of a Cinerary Urn'' (1871) *''Notes on the Supposed Charter Chest of "Johnny Faa"'' (1871) *''Notice on the Discovery of the Remains of an Elk'' (1871)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, John Alexander 1818 births 1883 deaths Alumni of the University of Edinburgh 19th-century Scottish medical doctors Scottish antiquarians Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland