James Sutherland (c1639-1719)

James Sutherland (c1639-1719) was Edinburgh University's first Professor of Botany.

Sutherland was initially employed by Sir Andrew Balfour (1630-1694) and Sir Robert Sibbald (1641-1722) to superintend the Botanic Garden that they had established in grounds belonging to Holyroodhouse. In 1675, Sutherland obtained from the Town Council of Edinburgh the lease of terrain adjoining to Trinity Hospital. Here, with the support of Balfour and Sibbald, he laid out a larger garden intended to supply the needs of the physicians of Edinburgh. In 1676, Sutherland was formally appointed attendant of the 'Edinburgh Physick Garden' and his post was joined to other 'professions' taught at Edinburgh University. Sutherland was thus ipso facto Professor of Botany but was only formally confirmed in the Chair in 1695.