User:Tokyogirl79LVA/John Patten Emmet

John Patten Emmet (born April 8, 1796, in Dublin, Ireland, died August 13, 1842 in New York) was an Irish professor that served as the University of Virginia's first professor of the School of Natural History. He was also the nephew of Robert Emmet, an Irish nationalist and Republican, orator and rebel leader.

Early life and schooling
Emet was born in Dublin, Ireland to Jane and Thomas Emmet on April 8, 1796. Thomas was a member of the Society of United Irishmen and was put in prison after the events of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. After he was released he eventually moved to the United States with his wife and some of their children. Emmet remained behind with two of his siblings and prior to setting sail in March 1805 Emmet contracted smallpox, measles, and whooping cough. This left Emmet weak and would take a toll on his health for the rest of his life. Emmet attended school in the United States and during his studies served for a period of time as an acting assistant professor of mathematics. He had to take a year away from schooling due to his poor health and upon his return in 1819, began studying medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. After graduation he practiced medicine until 1825, when the University of Virginia offered Emmet the position as chair of the School of Natural History, making him the first school's first professor in the program.