John Kirk
'Dr Kirk, of Edinburgh, the naturalist who
accompanies Dr Livingstone'.
From 'The Illustrated News of the World', 27 February
1858.
Dr John Kirk (1832-1922) was a keen botanist and naturalist, and a valued member of David Livingstone's Zambesi expedition of 1858-1863.
Kirk's photographs were perhaps his greatest contribution to the African expedition, and resulted from his role as the expedition's unofficial photographer.
photographed by John Kirk on the Zambesi river.
More John Kirk photos
Kirk also contributed his talents as a sketch artist, which were limited, but nonetheless useful. His watercolour sketches of landscapes, native huts and Africans provided an invaluable record of the previously unexplored continent.
See some of Kirk's watercolour sketches and photos in the 'Picturing Africa' exhibition at NLS from 14 June to 3 November.