SHORTT, John. Arcot (?) 26.2.1822 — Yerkaud 24.4.1889. British (Anglo-Indian) Physician in India. Son of the elder John Shortt (d. 1837), an E.I.C. officer, and his Indian wife Rose (1789–1841). Trained as apothecary at Madras Medical School until 1846. Then joined E.I.C. service and in 1850 was sent to Aberdeen for further studies and became both M.D. and veterinary. In 1854 returned to Madras and worked as Assistant Surgeon, full Surgeon 1866. Retired 1878 as Deputy Surgeon-General of Madras, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Married Isabella Cursett (1832?–1854), one daughter, then Ellen Julia Annie Blyth (1843–1865), and finally 1875 Annie Julia Henrietta Rogers (1851–1909).
As a physician Shortt did important work on smallpox vaccination and on snake poisining. He was much interested in natural history, but also in anthropology.
Publications: Handbook of Coffee Planting in Southern India. 10+182+8 p. Madras 1864.
Sources: www.madrasmusings.com/vol-31-no-2/john-shortt-and-his-works-on-indian-cattle/; Wikipedia, long article with selected bibliography.
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