GERARD, James Gilbert. Aberdeen 1795 — Sabathu (Himachal Pradesh) 31.3.1835. British (Scottish) Military Physician and Explorer in India. Son of Gilbert G., D.D., and Helen Duncan, brother of —> Alexander and Patrick Gerard. Entered Bengal Medical Service in 1814 as assistant surgeon, 1826 surgeon, served in the Gurkha regiment of Sabathu. He accompanied his brother in Himalayan travels (1818 in Spiti). In 1832 he was —> A. Burnes’ company on the journey to Afghanistan and Bukhara, in spite of health problems. In Meshed he became ill, left Burnes and returned alone to India, but never really recovered. He was a good observer and collected valuable geographical information.
Publications: “Observations on the Spiti Valley and the circumjacent Country within the Himalayas”, AsRes 18:2, 1833, 238-278; “Memoir of the Topes and Antiquities of Afghanistan”, JASB 3, 1834, 321-329.
– Narrative of a Journey from Caunpoor to the Borendo Pass in the Himalayas. Ed. by W. Lloyd. L. 1840 (also material by his brother).
Sources: Buckland, Dictionary; H.M.C[hichester], D.N.B. 21, 1890, 221; *Oxford D.N.B.
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