# John Latham > English physician, naturalist and author (1740-1837) **Wikidata**: [Q334364](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q334364) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Latham_(ornithologist)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-latham-q334364 ## Summary John Latham was an English physician, naturalist, author, and ornithologist who lived from 1740 to 1837. He is recognized for his extensive work in the fields of medicine and natural history, specifically ornithology, and was a prominent member of several international scientific academies. Latham served as a Fellow of the Royal Society and held memberships in the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Linnean Society of London, and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. ## Biography - **Born:** June 27, 1740 - **Nationality:** English (Citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; Citizen of the Kingdom of Great Britain) - **Education:** Merchant Taylors' School - **Known for:** Work as a physician, naturalist, author, and ornithologist; contributions to the study of birds and natural history. - **Field(s):** Ornithology, Medicine - **Affiliations:** Fellow of the Royal Society; Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Member of the Linnean Society of London; Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. ## Contributions John Latham contributed to the scientific community through his dual careers in medicine and natural history. As a physician, he practiced in the field of medicine, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. As a naturalist and ornithologist, he studied living organisms with a specific focus on birds. He was an author and illustrator, creating works that disseminated taxonomic and natural history knowledge. His involvement in the Linnean Society of London placed him at the center of the study and dissemination of taxonomy during his lifetime. ## FAQs **What were John Latham's primary professions?** John Latham was a physician, naturalist, author, ornithologist, zoologist, illustrator, and writer. **When was John Latham born and when did he die?** John Latham was born on June 27, 1740, and died on February 4, 1837. **Which scientific societies was John Latham associated with?** He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Linnean Society of London, and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. **Where did John Latham receive his education?** John Latham was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, an independent day school for boys in Northwood, Hertfordshire, England. **What were John Latham's main fields of study?** His primary fields of work were ornithology (the study of birds) and medicine. ## Why They Matter John Latham matters for his recognized standing in the international scientific community during the 18th and 19th centuries. His election as a Fellow of the Royal Society and his memberships in the national academies of Sweden and Germany signify the high regard in which his contributions to natural history and medicine were held. As a member of the Linnean Society of London, he participated in the critical study and dissemination of taxonomy and natural history. His life and career spanned a transformative period in British history, bridging the era of the Kingdom of Great Britain and the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ## Notable For - **Fellow of the Royal Society:** Elected as a Fellow of the English learned society for science. - **International Academy Memberships:** Held memberships in the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. - **Linnean Society Membership:** Affiliated with the learned society dedicated to taxonomy and natural history. - **Multidisciplinary Career:** Established himself as a professional in both medicine (physician) and natural history (ornithologist, zoologist, illustrator). - **Longevity:** Lived for nearly a century (1740–1837), witnessing the Acts of Union 1800 and the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ## Body ### Early Life and Education John Latham was born on June 27, 1740. He received his education at Merchant Taylors' School, an independent day school for boys. Originally located in London, the school was situated at Northwood, Hertfordshire, England, during his time. This institution provided the foundation for his academic and professional pursuits. ### Professional Career and Occupations John Latham had a diverse professional life, engaging in multiple occupations related to science and health. He was a physician, a professional who practices medicine, and a writer who used written words to communicate ideas. His work in the field of medicine involved the study of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. In the realm of natural history, Latham was a naturalist, a person who studies and possesses extensive knowledge about plants, animals, and natural history. Specifically, he was an ornithologist, a scientist who studies birds, and a zoologist, someone who studies or practices zoology. Additionally, he worked as an illustrator, a narrative artist who creates images for printed and electronic products, and an author. His fields of work were formally identified as ornithology and medicine. ### Memberships and Scientific Societies Latham was deeply integrated into the scientific community of his time, holding prestigious positions in various learned societies across Europe. * **Royal Society:** He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, an English learned society for science founded in November 1660. This society is headquartered in London and is recognized as a significant body for the advancement of scientific knowledge. * **Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences:** He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which serves as Sweden's national academy for sciences. Founded in June 1739, this academy is headquartered in Stockholm. * **Linnean Society of London:** Latham was affiliated with the Linnean Society of London, a learned society dedicated to the study and dissemination of taxonomy and natural history. The society was founded in 1788 and is headquartered in London. * **German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina:** He was also a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the national academy of Germany. This academy, founded in 1652, is headquartered in Halle. ### Nationality and Historical Context John Latham held citizenship in two historical sovereign states. He was a citizen of the Kingdom of Great Britain, a constitutional monarchy in Western Europe that existed from 1707 to 1800. Following the Acts of Union 1800, which took effect on January 1, 1801, he became a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This state was formed by the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland and existed until 1922. Latham's life and career therefore spanned a significant political transition in the British Isles. ### Legacy and Identifiers John Latham passed away on February 4, 1837. He is cataloged in numerous knowledge bases and library systems under various identifiers, including the ISNI (0000000121383299), VIAF (69237380), and Library of Congress Control Number (n86844451). His Wikipedia title is listed as "John Latham (ornithologist)," and he is widely recognized for his contributions to the biological sciences. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. Integrated Authority File 3. LIBRIS. 2010 4. International Standard Name Identifier 5. Virtual International Authority File 6. SNAC 7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 8. CONOR.SI 9. CERL Thesaurus