John Gillies (botanist)

John Gillies (1792-1834) was a Scottish botanist and surgeon. He is best known for his extensive plant collecting expeditions in South America, particularly in Chile and Argentina, during the period of 1820 to 1831.

Born in Brechin, Angus, Scotland, Gillies trained as a surgeon at the University of Edinburgh. He subsequently joined the service of the Royal Navy. After leaving the navy, he secured employment with a mining company, the Río Plata Mining Association, which provided him with the opportunity to travel to South America.

Gillies's primary role was to assess mineral resources, but his strong interest in botany led him to collect and document a vast array of plant specimens. He sent these collections back to Scotland, contributing significantly to the knowledge of South American flora. His collections were studied and described by prominent botanists such as William Hooker and George Arnott. Many plant species bear the epithet gilliesii in his honor.

His work provided valuable insights into the plant life of the Andean region and helped to establish connections between European and South American botanical communities. Although his life was relatively short, his contributions to botanical science are significant and enduring. He died in 1834 in Mendoza, Argentina.