Home > John Ball (naturalist)

He was educated at the Roman Catholic College at Oscott near Birmingham, and at Christ's College, Cambridge. He showed in early years a taste for natural science, particularly botany; and after leaving Cambridge he travelled in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, studying his favourite pursuits, and contributing papers on botany and the Swiss glaciers to scientific periodicals. In 1846 he was made an assistant poor-law commissioner, but resigned in 1847, and in 1848 stood unsuccessfully as a parliamentary candidate for SligoSligo is: In the Republic of Ireland: A County of Ireland: see County Sligo A Town of Ireland: see Sligo Town In the USA: A borough in Clarion County, Pennsylvania: see Sligo, Pennsylvania. See also: Irish Place Names in Other Countries''.. In 1849Events January 23 Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her MD by the Medical Institute of Geneva, New York, thus becoming the United States' first woman doctor January 31 Corn Laws abolished in the United Kingdom February 14 In New York City, James Knox Polk be he was appointed second poor-law commissioner, but resigned in 1852Events January 14 President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte proclaims a new constitution for the French Second Republic. January 17 United Kingdom recognizes independence of the Transvaal Devil's Island penal colony opens February 11 First British public toilet and successfully contested the county of CarlowCarlow ( Irish: Ceatharlach meaning "four lakes") is an inland town in the south-east of Ireland in County Carlow, some 85 km (53 miles) from Dublin. The River Barrow flows through the town. The town numbers about 20,000 people 3,000 of which are students in the Liberal interest. In the British House of CommonsThe House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also includes the Sovereign and the House of Lords. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 659 members, who are known as "Members of Parliamen he attracted Lord Palmerston's attention by his abilities, and in 18851885 is a common year starting on Thursday (click on link for calendar) Events January January 4 The first successful appendectomy is performed (Dr. William Grant; patient was Mary Gartside). January 20 L. Thompson patents the roller coaster. January 26 T was made under-secretary for the colonies, a post which he held for two years. At the colonial office he had great influence in furthering the cause of natural science, particularly in connection with equipment of the Palliser ExpeditionThe Palliser Expedition was a British expedition that explored and surveyed the open prairies and rugged wilderness of western Canada from 1857 to 1860. The expedition was led by John Palliser and the party consisted of: James Hector, geologist and natura in Canada, and with William Jackson Hooker's efforts to obtain a systematic knowledge of the colonial floras. In 1858 he stood for Limerick, but was beaten, and he then gave up politics and devoted himself to natural history. He was first president of the Alpine Club (founded 1857), and it is for his work as an Alpinist that he is chiefly remembered, his well-known Alpine Guide ( London, 1863 - 1868) being the result of innumerable climbs and journeys and of careful observation recorded in a clear and often entertaining style. He also travelled in Morocco ( 1871) and South America ( 1882), and recorded his observations in books which were recognized as having a scientific value. He died in London.