James Hector forged a successful career as a Scottish-New Zealand naturalist, geologist, and explorer. Throughout his working life, he made immense contributions to the advancement of science and helped elevate it to a new level. Read more about at edinburgh1.one.
Early Years
The future scientist was born on 16 March 1834 in Edinburgh. His formal education began at the Edinburgh Academy. By the age of just fourteen, he was already working as an actuary’s clerk in his father’s office. Later, the young man decided to dedicate himself to the study of medicine and became a student at the University of Edinburgh. In 1856, at the age of twenty-two, James earned his medical degree.
The Palliser Expedition
Once his degree was obtained, a pivotal event occurred that would shape his entire scientific career. Sir Roderick Murchison, then head of the British Geological Survey, recommended Hector for the post of geologist on the Palliser Expedition. The young scientist was tasked with travelling to British North America (Canada). The purpose of the trip was to explore new routes for the Canadian Pacific Railway and to collect new species of plants.
The Legend of Kicking Horse Pass
A remarkable story is associated with this trip, though it is now widely believed to be at least partly fictional. The tale goes that in 1858, while the Palliser expedition was exploring a mountain pass near the continental divide of the Canadian Rockies, one of Hector’s packhorses fell into a river. During the rescue, Hector’s own horse bolted. When he gave chase, it kicked him hard in the chest, knocking him unconscious.
His companions believed him to be dead and began to dig a grave. To everyone’s astonishment, however, James regained consciousness, and the funeral had to be cancelled. From that day on, the pass and the adjacent river have been known as Kicking Horse Pass.
This incident became an integral part of Canadian history. However, scholars later began to doubt the authenticity of the event. In other words, what actually happened may have been greatly exaggerated. Historians are increasingly of the opinion that the famous adventure of the revived James Hector is nothing more than a local legend.
A New Chapter in New Zealand
When the Palliser Expedition concluded, James returned to Great Britain, where he was immediately offered a salaried scientific position. In the spring of 1862, he sailed for New Zealand to conduct a geological survey of the Otago region. The scientist also studied New Zealand’s South Island, assessing its potential for settlement and identifying its mineral resources.
In addition, Hector assembled a team to assist him in collecting fossils and conducting chemical analysis. With the help of his assistants, the scientist also carried out botanical and zoological classification. The result of this laborious and painstaking work was a geological map of Otago, which later became known as “Hector’s Map.” Then, in 1865, the world saw his “Sketch Map of the Geology of New Zealand”.
Building a Nation’s Science
The year 1865 also marked the start of a significant and responsible new commission for the scientist. He was tasked with founding the Geological Survey of New Zealand. To do this, he had to move to Wellington to oversee the construction of the Colonial Museum (now the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa), which was planned as the headquarters for the newly created Survey.
As the government’s chief scientist, Hector was required to advise politicians on various issues, including wool exports to Japan and improving the production process for fibre from New Zealand flax. Furthermore, when the Wellington Botanic Garden opened in 1869, James was appointed its first manager, a position he held for twenty-two years.
A Position of Authority
It is safe to say that James bore immense responsibility for overseeing many aspects of the nation’s science. In 1885, he became Chancellor of the University of New Zealand. This post significantly enhanced the weight and authority of his scientific opinion. However, James had a rather difficult relationship with some members of the scientific community. Towards the end of his career, he was even criticised for failing to acquire Māori artefacts for the Colonial Museum.
Legacy
James Hector’s career concluded in 1903. Over his long career, he achieved a great deal for the development and advancement of science in New Zealand. By holding important positions and conducting valuable research, he worked for the benefit of knowledge and its dissemination to the world.
The renowned scientist passed away on 6 November 1907. But his memory, like the results of his work, lives on, inspiring new generations of researchers to discover something new and unknown.