The Amazing World of James Hector: Explorer, Doctor, Geologist, Botanist, Natural Historian, and One of New Zealand's Most Remarkable Figures

(Paperback)

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Description

James Hector was astounding. Scottish-born and trained as a surgeon, at 23 he took part in a daring British expedition to survey western Canada, and was given up for dead at a place still known - on account of his accident - as Kicking Horse Pass. Fortunately, he survived. Then head-hunted to carry out a geological survey of Otago, he arrived in New Zealand in 1861 and within a few years had founded all the country's leading scientific bodies, including the national museum (now Te Papa), the New Zealand Institute (now the Royal Society) and the Geological Survey (now GNS Science). A man of seemingly unbounded energy and interests, at various times he was also responsible for the Meteorological Department, the Colonial Observatory, the Wellington Time-ball Observatory, the Wellington Botanic Garden, and the Patent Office library. In this superb collection of essays, scientists, historians and Hector's descendants tell the fascinating and sometimes controversial story of Hector's life and work.

Reviews

Remarkable volume . . . he was an extraordinary manand this is a fine tribute." Michael Corballis, Metro

"A good first step in spreading the gospel of James Hector . . . a fascinating and absorbing read . . . an easy and approachable read, too." Andy Palmer, Lumiere Reader

"Enthralling story of an unsung hero." TV3 News

Author Bio

Simon Nathan is a geologist and former editor of Te Ara, the online encyclopedia of New Zealand.

Mary Varnham is the publishing director of Awa Press and author of Beyond Blue Hills and Heading Nowhere in a Navy Blue Suit.

Hamish Campbell is the geologist at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the coauthor of The Transit of Venus.