John Ball (naturalist)

John Ball ( born August 20, 1818 in Dublin, † October 21, 1889 in London) was an Irish politician, naturalist and high mountain hikers. Its official botanical author abbreviation is " Ball".

Training

John Ball was the eldest son of the Irish judge Nicholas Ball and attended Oscott College near Birmingham, and Christ's College, Cambridge. At an early age he showed interest in the natural sciences, especially botany, and traveled after graduating the Swiss Alps and Europe. He wrote treatises on botanical subjects and the Swiss glaciers, which he published in scientific journals.

Policy

In 1846 he was appointed assistant to the arms rights officer, already resigned a year later back again to run in 1848 (unsuccessfully) as a candidate in Parliament for Sligo. In 1849 he was appointed second arms Rights Commissioner, and entered again in 1852 back to - this time successful - as a liberal candidate for Carlow in the British House of Commons collect. There he achieved through his skills the attention of Lord Palmerston and was built in 1885 Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, a post he held for two years.

In the colonial office, he had great influence on the extension of scientific research, which he in particular by the equipment of the Palliser expedition in Canada ( for his efforts, the ball Range was named after him ) and William Jackson Hooker, of the flora of the colonies systematically tried catalog, supported.

Alpinist

After Limerick, he ran in 1858 and lost, he gave up politics and devoted himself entirely to natural history. He was the first President of the Alpine Club, and it is mainly due to his activities as a climber that is reminiscent of him. He became known especially by the first ascent of Monte Pelmo in the Dolomites in 1857. His well-known alpine guide was the result of countless climbs, travel and careful observations he told in a clear and often entertaining way. He also traveled to Morocco ( 1871) and South America ( 1882) and described his observations in books that have been scientifically recognized.