John Edmonstone was originally a black slave probably born in Demarara (Guyana, South America). He learned taxidermy from Charles Waterton, whose father in law, Charles Edmonstone (b. 1793, Cardross Park, Dunbarton, Scotland - 1822, Demerara, Br. Guiana) had a plantation in Demarara.
After he was freed, John came to Glasgow with his former master, Charles Edmonstone. From there he moved to Edinburgh (37 Lothian Street) where he taught taxidermy to students at Edinburgh University, including Charles Darwin.
Edmonstone gave Charles Darwin inspiring accounts of tropical rain forests in South America and may have encouraged Darwin to explore there. Certainly the taxidermy Darwin learnt from Edmonstone helped him greatly during The Voyage of the Beagle.
Edmonstone is one of Patrick Vernon's "100 Great Black Britons".
Famous quotes containing the word john:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”
—Bible: New Testament, Matthew 11:7-9.
Jesus speaking about John the Baptist.