David Douglas: History's Most Successful Explorers

Scottish botanist, David Douglas, was one of the history's most successful explorers. He made three separate trips from England to North America in the early 19th century when air travel was but a distant dream. His second expedition was his most successful, in 1824. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) sent him on a plant-hunting expedition in the Pacific Northwest, which was not yet part of the United States. After this trip, he introduced the Douglas Fir into cultivation, in 1827. Additionally, he helped revitalize the British landscape and timber industry. He provided new specimens to use in landscaping and manufacturing including; the Sitka Spruce, Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Monterey Pine, Grand Fir, Noble Fir and several other
He traveled alone all over North America. Some cite the fact that he was not totally on his own, given the fact that he was always accompanied by his trusty Highland Terrier. In 1827, he was presented with a fine Royal Stewart tartan suit. Which, he wore having worn out all his clothes on the first leg of his journey. One can only imagine the effect it had on the Indians he met on his travels. He first briefly visited Hawaii, in 1830, on his way to the Pacific Northwest. He returned again ,in December 1833, intending to spend three months of winter there. He was only the second European to reach the summit of the Mauna Loa volcano. He died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 35, while climbing Mauna Kea in Hawaii. He apparently fell into a pit trap and was crushed by a bull that fell into the trap on top of him. He was last seen at the hut of Englishman Edward "Ned" Gurney, a bullock hunter and escaped convict. Gurney was also suspected in Douglas's death, Douglas was said to have been carrying more money than Gurney subsequently delivered with the body. However, most historians have concluded that Gurney was a thief but not a