Sir Robert Sibbald, botanist, physician and geographer was born on 15th April 1641 in Blackfriars Wynd off Edinburgh's High Street. Sibbald established a botanical garden at Holyrood House in Edinburgh from 1667. Both there, and in the second site in the Trinity Hospital, the garden became a major site for plants of use in materia medica. It was run by James Sutherland, later the first professor of botany at Edinburgh University and author (with Sibbald's assistance) of the unpublished ‘Hortus medicus Edinburgensis'. Sibbald died on 9th August 1722.
Early Life and Education: Sir Robert Sibbald was born on April 15, 1641, in Blackfriars Wynd off Edinburgh's High Street. He was the son of David Sibbald, a wealthy merchant, and Janet Boyd. Sibbald received his early education at the Royal High School of Edinburgh. Later, he attended the University of Edinburgh, where he studied medicine, graduating with a degree in 1660. He then pursued further studies in medicine at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, a renowned center of medical learning at the time.
Medical Career: Upon returning to Scotland, Sibbald established himself as a prominent physician in Edinburgh. He gained recognition for his expertise in various fields of medicine, including anatomy, botany, and natural history. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1672 and served as its president from 1682 to 1684. Sibbald's contributions to medicine extended beyond clinical practice; he was deeply involved in medical education and research, playing a significant role in the advancement of medical knowledge in Scotland.
Contributions to Science: Sibbald's interests were not limited to medicine. He was a pioneering figure in the fields of natural history and antiquarian studies in Scotland. In 1682, he founded the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh's Botanic Garden, which later evolved into the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. His botanical studies led to the publication of "Pharmaceutice Rationalis" in 1683, a work that discussed the medicinal properties of plants and their applications in pharmacy. It was run by James Sutherland, later the first professor of botany at Edinburgh University and author (with Sibbald's assistance) of the unpublished ‘Hortus medicus Edinburgensis'.
Sibbald was also a keen antiquarian, with a deep interest in Scotland's history and cultural heritage. He conducted extensive research into the country's ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and historical documents. In 1707, he published "The History Ancient and Modern of the Sheriffdoms of Fife and Kinross," a comprehensive study of the two Scottish counties that combined historical narrative with geographical descriptions and genealogical information.
Legacy: Sir Robert Sibbald's contributions to medicine, botany, and Scottish antiquarianism left a lasting impact on the intellectual and cultural landscape of Scotland. His work helped establish Edinburgh as a center of scientific inquiry and learning during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The Edinburgh Botanic Garden, which he founded, continues to be a vital institution for botanical research and education. Sibbald's writings remain valuable sources for scholars interested in Scottish history, medicine, and natural history.
Sibbald died on 9th August 1722.
References:
- Balfour, J. B. (1911). "Sir Robert Sibbald, 1641-1722, and His Works." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 31, 421-466.
- Bryden, R. (2007). "Sibbald, Sir Robert (1641–1722), Physician and Geographer." In Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press.
- Cook, H. J. (2000). "Sibbald, Sir Robert (1641–1722)." In Dictionary of Scottish History and Biography. Edinburgh University Press.