Francis Buchanan-Hamilton (February 15, 1762 - June 14, 1829) was a Scottish surgeon, surveyor, and botanist who made significant contributions as a geographer and zoologist while living in India. He was born Francis Buchanan in Bardowie, Callander Perthshire. His father was minor nobility, claiming the chiefdom of Buchanan and owning the Leny Estate. Buchanan studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1783. He also studied botany under John Hope in Edinburgh. After his studies, Buchanan served as a medical officer on Merchant Navy ships to Asia, and, from 1784 - 1815, in the Bengal Presidency Medical Service. While in this role he became superintendent of the Institution for Promoting the Natural History of India. He served on the John Crawfurd Mission to Ava. In 1799, following the fall of Mysore, he was assigned to compile a survey of South India. He completed surveys of Mysore (1800) and Bengal (1807 - 1814), while at the same time acting as surgeon to the Governor General of India, Lord Wellesley. He founded the Alipore Zoological Garden in Calcutta, today India's oldest continuously operating zoo. In 1814, Buchanan succeeded William Roxburgh as superintendent of the Calcutta Botanical Garden. However, he almost immediately fell ill and, by 1815, was on a boat back to England. In that same year Buchanan inherited his mother's large estate, taking her name, Hamilton. He is alternatively known as Francis Hamilton, Francis Buchanan, or Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. He succeeded William Roxburgh as Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, a position he held until his death in 1829. He is also known for a book on the Kingdom of Nepal.