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Last edited by MARC Bot
September 30, 2020 | History

John Ball

20 August 1818 - 21 October 1889

John Ball (1818–1889), Irish politician, naturalist and Alpine traveller, eldest son of an Irish judge, Nicholas Ball, was born at Dublin on the 20th of August 1818. He was educated at the Roman Catholic College at Oscott near Birmingham, and at Christ's College, Cambridge. He showed in early years a taste for natural science, particularly botany; and after leaving Cambridge he travelled in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, studying his favourite pursuits, and contributing papers on botany and the Swiss glaciers to scientific periodicals.
In 1846 he was made an assistant poor-law commissioner, but resigned in 1847, and in 1848 stood unsuccessfully as a parliamentary candidate for Sligo. In 1849 he was appointed second poor-law commissioner, but resigned in 1852 and successfully contested the county of Carlow in the Liberal interest. In the House of Commons he attracted Lord Palmerston's attention by his abilities, and in 1885 was made under-secretary for the colonies, a post which he held for two years.
At the colonial office he had great influence in furthering the cause of natural science, particularly in connexion with equipment of the Palliser expedition in Canada, and with Sir W. Hooker's efforts to obtain a systematic knowledge of the colonial floras. In 1858 he stood for Limerick, but was beaten, and he then gave up politics and devoted himself to natural history.
He was first president of the Alpine Club (founded 1857), and it is for his work as an Alpinist that he is chiefly remembered, his well-known Alpine Guide (London, 1863–1868) being the result of innumerable climbs and journeys and of careful observation recorded in a clear and often entertaining style. He also travelled in Morocco (1871) and South America (1882), and recorded his observations in books which were recognized as having a scientific value.
He died in London on the 21st of October 1889.

[ Source: https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Ball,_John_(Irish_politician) ]

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  • Cover of: Notes of a naturalist in South America
    First published in 1887 3 editions in 1 language — 2 previewable Cover of edition notesofnaturali00ball

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  • Cover of: Spicilegium florae Maroccanae: Extracted from the Linnean Society's Journal - Botany, vol. xvi.

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  • Cover of: The Central Alps: including the Bernese Oberland, and all Switzerland excepting the neighbourhood of Monte Rosa and and the Great St. Bernard

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  • Cover of: A guide to the Western Alps
    First published in 1873 2 editions in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: What is to be done for Ireland?
    First published in 1849 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: guide to the western Alps

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  • Cover of: The Western Alps
    First published in 1898 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: Styrian, Carnic and Julian Alps
    First published in 1873 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: Peaks, passes, and glaciers.: A series of excursions by the members of the Alpine club.

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  • Cover of: South Tyrol and Venetian or Dolomite Alps
    First published in 1873 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: Remarks upon the geology, and physical features of the country west of the Rocky Mountains: with miscellaneous facts ...

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  • Cover of: Central Tyrol: including the Gross Glockner
    First published in 1873 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: North Tyrol, Bavarian and Salzburg Alps
    First published in 1873 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: A guide to the western Alps.
    First published in 1863 1 edition in 1 language — 1 previewable

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  • Cover of: Central Tyrol including the Gross Glockner

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  • Cover of: The distribution of plants on the south side of the Alps

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  • Cover of: Hints and notes practical and scientific for travellers in the Alps: being a revision of the general introduction to the "Alpine Guide."

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1832

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Download catalog record: RDF / JSON
September 30, 2020 Edited by MARC Bot add ids
December 28, 2019 Edited by Martha Carson Wade Added author info
December 28, 2019 Edited by Martha Carson Wade Added new photo
December 28, 2019 Edited by Martha Carson Wade Edited without comment.
April 1, 2008 Created by an anonymous user initial import