Paul MacGillivray
Encyclopedia
Paul MacGillivray a scientist and medical practitioner by occupation, was born at Edinburgh
, to William MacGillivray
and Marion née Askill, and was the brother of John MacGillivray
, who became a noted naturalist
.
in the University of Aberdeen
. His father, William, was appointed a professor
there in 1841, a teacher of natural history
. During his time as a student, Paul wrote and published a catalogue, entitled A Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns growing in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, with the help and support of his father. However, when MacGillivray's father died in the September of 1852, he lost interest in the studies of science, and instead chose to practise medicine, in London
. Later that year, MacGillivray decided to migrate to Melbourne
, Australia
.
, where he joined a local, voluntary fire brigade, where he served as the brigade's medical officer.
Later, between the years of 1862 and 1873, MacGillivray acted as a surgeon
in the hospital of Bendigo
, where he organised a private medical practice. While MacGillivray's deepest interest remained natural history, he showed great talent and potential in medicine, and he produced numerous papers and essays in relation to surgery and surgical matters. His work was indeed so prolific and insightful that he was elected president of the Medical Society of Victoria.
Paul MacGillivray also became known as one of the most prominent and notable Australian naturalists of the time. Following his talent as a naturalist, MacGillivray was selected as a member of the Philosophical Institute (later Royal Society) of Victoria
. Among other naturalistic accomplishments, MacGillivray wrote several papers in relation to nature, some illustrated, as well as undertaking several projects of research. Additionally, at a later stage in his life, MacGillivray formed strong relations and a membership with the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria.
(on the Polyzoa of Victoria) for the Royal Society of Victoria. He was survived by Elizabeth, née Shields, his wife, five daughters and a son. His collections, papers, findings and library were brought forth to the National Museum of Victoria by the government shortly after his death.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, to William MacGillivray
William MacGillivray
William MacGillivray FRSE MWS was a Scottish naturalist and ornithologist.MacGillivray was born in Old Aberdeen and brought up on the island of Harris. He returned to Aberdeen where he attended King's College, graduating MA in 1815. He studied medicine, but did not complete the course...
and Marion née Askill, and was the brother of John MacGillivray
John MacGillivray
John MacGillivray was a Scottish-naturalist, active in Australia between 1842 and 1867.MacGillivray was born in Aberdeen, the son of ornithologist William MacGillivray. He took part in three of the Royal Navy's surveying voyages in the Pacific...
, who became a noted naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
.
Early life
MacGillivray was educated at Marischal CollegeMarischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
in the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
. His father, William, was appointed a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
there in 1841, a teacher of natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
. During his time as a student, Paul wrote and published a catalogue, entitled A Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns growing in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, with the help and support of his father. However, when MacGillivray's father died in the September of 1852, he lost interest in the studies of science, and instead chose to practise medicine, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Later that year, MacGillivray decided to migrate to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Migration to Australia
There he continued his medicine practice, and began worked at WilliamstownWilliamstown, Victoria
Williamstown is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 8 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2006 Census, Williamstown had a population of 12,733....
, where he joined a local, voluntary fire brigade, where he served as the brigade's medical officer.
Later, between the years of 1862 and 1873, MacGillivray acted as a surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
in the hospital of Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
, where he organised a private medical practice. While MacGillivray's deepest interest remained natural history, he showed great talent and potential in medicine, and he produced numerous papers and essays in relation to surgery and surgical matters. His work was indeed so prolific and insightful that he was elected president of the Medical Society of Victoria.
Paul MacGillivray also became known as one of the most prominent and notable Australian naturalists of the time. Following his talent as a naturalist, MacGillivray was selected as a member of the Philosophical Institute (later Royal Society) of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Among other naturalistic accomplishments, MacGillivray wrote several papers in relation to nature, some illustrated, as well as undertaking several projects of research. Additionally, at a later stage in his life, MacGillivray formed strong relations and a membership with the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria.
Death
Paul MacGillivray died on 9 July 1895 at his house in Bendigo. It was at this time that he close to completing a large monographMonograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
(on the Polyzoa of Victoria) for the Royal Society of Victoria. He was survived by Elizabeth, née Shields, his wife, five daughters and a son. His collections, papers, findings and library were brought forth to the National Museum of Victoria by the government shortly after his death.