Archibald Menzies

Archibald Menzies (pron., 15 March 1754 – 15 February 1842) was a Scottish surgeon and naturalist.

Menzies was born at Easter Stix (or Styx) in the parish of Weem, in Perthshire. He studied botany and medicine in Edinburgh, and later became assistant to a surgeon in Caernarvon. He joined the Royal Navy and served on the Halifax Station in Nova Scotia.

In 1786 Menzies (pronounced Ming-iss, see Yogh) was appointed surgeon on board Prince of Wales, which was travelling round Cape Horn to the northern Pacific. He collected a number of new plants on this voyage, and also ensured that none of the crew died of illness.

In 1790, Menzies was appointed as naturalist to accompany Captain George Vancouver on his voyage around the world on HMS Discovery. (see Vancouver Expedition) When the surgeon fell ill, Menzies took over his duties.

In 1794, while Discovery wintered in Hawai'i, Menzies, with Lieutenant Joseph Baker and two other men, made the first recorded ascent of Mauna Loa. Menzies used a portable barometer to measure the height of the mountain as 13564 feet (4134m) compared to its actual height of 13679 feet (4169m).

After the voyage, Menzies served with the Navy in the West Indies. He received the degree of M.D. at the University of Aberdeen in 1799. After retiring from the Navy he became a doctor and surgeon at Notting Hill, London.

His name is commemorated in the scientific names of several of the plants he discovered, including Menziesia, a genus of shrubs in the Ericaceae, and the Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii, the most important tree in western North America. The Pacific madrone, an evergreen tree and largest of the Ericaceae, was named Arbutus menziesii in his honour by Friedrich Pursh. His name is also honoured in Menzies Bay and Menzies Point, both on the west coast of Canada.