John Kirk (explorer)
Sir John Kirk ( born December 19, 1832 in Angus Barry, † January 15, 1922 ) was a Scottish physician, naturalist, explorer and diplomat. As a travel companion of the missionary and explorer David Livingstone in East Africa, he was one of the first Europeans to reach the Lake Nyassa; later as a British Consul General in Zanzibar, he was instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade and the expansion of British influence on the economy and politics in East Africa.
Voyage of discovery
Kirk was born in Scotland and earned his medical degree at the University of Edinburgh. After that he took part as a doctor in the Crimean War. From 1858 to 1863 he accompanied David Livingstone as a scientist and doctor on his second expedition to Central Africa. However, in 1863 he had to return because of his poor health to the UK.
Diplomatic activity
1866 Kirk was sent as a physician to the British representative in Zanzibar and soon taken up in the diplomatic service; In 1873 he was promoted to General and held this office until 1887. During this time he succeeded, after long negotiations with the Omani Sultan Bargash to enforce a ban on the slave trade, Zanzibar and the sphere of influence of the Sultan on the East African coast. At the same time, he used his influence to strengthen the control of Great Britain on the ivory trade in East Africa.
Back in Britain he maintained close relations with businessmen and travelers who were engaged in East Africa, such as Frederick Lugard and to Horace Waller.
Throughout his life he was a passionate botanist, he has published numerous scientific articles ( be botanical author abbreviation is " J.Kirk " ), and his knowledge was highly appreciated among professionals. Many African plants and animals have been named after him.