Biographical entry: MacGillivray, John (1821 - 1867)

Born

1821

Died

1867

Summary

Correspondence, notes and journals. The Scottish born naturalist John MacGillivray first came to Australia in 1842 as assistant to the naturalist J. Beete Jukes, on board the survey vessel H.M.S. Fly, which carried out hydrographic surveys of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait to 1845. From December 1846 MacGillivray was naturalist on board the Rattlesnake under Captain Owen Stanley, which spent four years cruising in Queensland, New Guinea and Louisiade Archipelago waters, before returning to England in October 1850. From 1852 to 1855 MacGillivray sailed on H.M.S. Herald on survey work in South America and the south Pacific including New Zealand.

1. Letters and notes by MacGillivray, written while on H.M.S. Rattlesnake, 1847-1849.

A. Letters entitled:

Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake. Correspondence 1847-1849. Includes copies of letters on natural history from MacGillivray to Professor Edward Forbes 1847-1849, John Gould 1848-1849, Sir William J. Hooker 1848-1849, Dr J.D. Hooker 1848, and Adam White 1848.

B. Notebook containing notes on natural history of Cape York and northern Australia.

2. Journal written on board H.M.S. Herald, 1852-1855, entitled:

Voyage of H.M.S. Herald under the command of Captain H. Mangles Denham R.N., being private journal kept by John MacGillivray, naturalist, 21 February 1852-January 1855. Also included are extracts from Mr Calvert's manuscript 26 July 1853. The journal is illustrated with small sketches. Microfilm, one negative and one positive reel. The original of the journal is held at the Admiralty Library London and may not be reproduced without the permission of that Library. The original notebooks are held by Miss R.A.V. McCulloch, Hobart, Tasmania. National Library of Australia MS.G746.