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Name: KIRK, John GCMG, KCB, MD, ScD, LLD, DCL, FRS, Sir
Nee: son of Rev John Kirk
Birth Date: 19.12.1832 Barry, Forfarshire
Death Date: 15.1.1922 Sevenoaks, Kent
Nationality: British
First Date: 1858
Profession: Doctor, naturalist and explorer, Official with Livingstones expdn. Political Agent and Consul-General Zanzibar
Area: Zanzibar
Married: In Zanzibar 14 Mar 1867 Helen Cooke b. 1844 Ledbury, d. 18 May 1914 Wavertree, Sevenoaks
Children: Marion (1869 Zanzibar-1058); Helen (1871 Zanz.-1955); Elsie (1872 Zanz.-1897); Hilda (1874); John William Carnegie (1878 Zanz.-1962)
Book Reference: Gillett, Hobley, Permanent Way, Oscar, Kenya Diary, Kelly, North
School: Edinburgh University
General Information:
Hobley - he was a man of strong personality and, above all, had the gift of winning the affection of the coast Arabs. He had previously been associated with David Livingstone, and these two notable characters had together discovered Lake Nyasa. (more)
Permanent Way - For many years his power and influence in Zanzibar and EA had been unrivalled. Over and over again he had checked the intrigues and the trickery of German agents, but his steadfast policy was inconvenient to a Government which placed the 'appeasement' of Germany before British interests in EA (so he was recalled in 1886)
Kenya Diary - 1902 - Nairobi - Sir John Kirk dined in our mess ....... He was our consul in Zanzibar. ...... not an inspiring personality, small, with a little beard, poor physique, dour and without personality. Doubtless he was a first class consul, but it struck me he was jealous of Stanley.
Kelly - Asst. Physician, British Hospital at Renkioi, Dardanelles during Crimean War; naturalist, and chief officer Dr. Livingstone's 2nd exploring expedition to Zambesi 1858-64; H.M.'s Agent and Consul-Gen. at Zanzibar 1880-87, H.M. Plenipo. to Brussels Conference 1889-90, H.M. Special Commr. to Niger Coast 1895, Vice-Chm. of the Committee of the Uganda Railway construction
North - Medical Officer Zanzibar; Acting Consul; Consul-General; Retired from diplomatic service; Director of IBEA Co. 1888; Chairman of Uganda Railway Committee in London 1895-1903
North - 'A most sprightly and charming old man' (McGregor-Ross, RH)
Hobley - for so many years staunchly upheld the interests of his country as Consul General.
North - "dour & without personality" (Meinertzhagen)