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John Lorimer (1732–1795) was a surgeon, mathematician, politician and cartographer in the 18th Century. Lorimer served as a surgeon for the British army in North America between 1758 and 1784, participating in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and author of the book "A Concise Essay on Magnetism; with an Account of the Declination and Inclination of the Magnetic Needle; and an Attempt to ascertain the Cause of the Variation thereof," published in 1795.〔(Portrait miniature of Doctor John Lorimer. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History ).〕 ==Experiences in West Florida== Dr. John Lorimer was a land speculator who owned a thousand acres on Thompson’s Creek, Mississippi and a second grant north of Natchez, Mississippi. “Original Grantee/Claimant: Doctor John Lorimer, 2000 acres, Walnut Hills. Patent date: May 6, 1776.”〔Smith, Clifford Neal. Spanish and British Land Grants in Mississippi Territory, 1750-1784. Page 11.〕 At the time Pensacola surrendered to the Spanish, Dr. Lorimer was listed as a Magistrate.〔“1785 List of Residents and Occupations, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.”〕 In 1778, Peter Chester, Governor of the British Colony of West Florida, appointed Dr. Lorimer as a "Botanist" for the Province of West Florida.〔(University of Miami Library, Special Collections )〕 In 1774, Dr. Lorimer went on an expedition up the Mississippi River to map the western boundary of the Colony of West Florida from the mouth of the Yazoo River to Bayou Manchac. He went along with George Gauld (18th century British Naval Surveyor) and Thomas Hutchins not only because he was a surgeon, but also because his mathematical skills for determining latitude and longitude were greatly desired. “The latitudes of the entrance of the river Yazou, Natchez, Manchac and some other parts of the river were taken by Doctor Lorimer, which were a great correction and satisfaction in laying down this plan.”〔“Map of the Mississippi River from the Mouth of the Yazoo River to the southern part of Louisiana.” 1774. Manuscript, pen, ink, pencil and water color. Col. Map 244 X 121 cm. ((Force map collection )). Scale 1:126,720; 2 English miles to an inch. Relief shown by hachures. Shows campsites of the expedition with dates. Includes descriptive text. Library of Congress Map〕 Afterwards, Thomas Hutchins would publish several publications about his experiences and observations in West Florida. Regretfully, he used and re-published much of the written materials and charts produced by Dr. Lorimer, George Gauld (18th century British Naval Surveyor) and Lieutenant Philip Pittman under his own name. So would the colonial naturalist Bernard Romans. Even in those days of loose copyright laws, using other people’s creations was well known. In correspondence with General Thomas Gage, General Frederick Haldimand sent him some of George Gauld’s maps along with his report, with the proviso that no one else should copy the maps drawn by Gauld.〔Ware, John D., and Robert Right Rea. 1982. George Gauld, surveyor and cartographer of the Gulf Coast. Gainesville: University Presses of Florida. Pages 193-201.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「John Lorimer (doctor)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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