| Code | PX89 |
| Dates | 1814-1898 |
| Person Name | Atherstone; William Guybon (1814-1898); Medical Practitioner, Botanist and Geologist |
| Surname | Atherstone |
| Forenames | William Guybon |
| Epithet | Medical Practitioner, Botanist and Geologist |
| Activity | Family Emigrated to South Africa as part of the British Settler Movemement of 1820. He was assistant staff surgeon during the Cape Frontier Wars. In 1839 he commeced medical practice with his father in Grahamstown and has been credited with performing the first major surgery under anaesthetic outside of Europe or America in 1847. In 1858 he founded the Albany hospital and was its first medical officer. He had many interests including Geology, Botany, Ornithology and Astronomy. His interest in Geology took off in 1844 and he discovered the first known fossil of a Stegosaur Dinosaur. He was co-founder of the Grahamstown Medical Chirurgical Society, the precursor the Albany Museum in 1855. In 1856 he founded the Grahamstown Botanical Gardens and helped to found the Grahamstown Public Library. In 1862-3 he founded the South African Botanical Exchange with Peter MacOwen. By 1864 he was the leading geologist in South Africa and was elected a fellow of the Royal Geological Society and in 1867 he identified the first diamond in South Africa and suggested prospecting for diamonds in Colesburg, which later became the Kimberley Mine. He returned to England in 1875 at the instruction of prime minister John Molenso to investigate the latest treatments for mental illnesses and he was granted the freedom of the city of London and of the Worshipful company of Turners. He was elected as member for Grahamstown in the House of Assembly in 1881 and in 1883 he served on the legislative company. In 1888 the Kimberley Mining Companies presented him with a 4 carat diamond in recognition of his services to the Industry and in 1891 he helped establish the Colonial Bacteriological Institute. He was elected honorary president of the South African Association at its first congress in 1896. |
| Relationships | Married Catherine Atherstone 29 July 1839. |