Ninian Richard Cheyne

M, #2771, b. 24 August 1798, d. 16 March 1872
FatherNinian Richard Cheyne b. a 1762
MotherJean Auchinleck b. c 1760, d. b 23 Aug 1819
     Ninian Richard Cheyne was born, 24 August 1798, in Edinburgh Parish, Midlothian, Scotland.1,2,3

He was admitted into the Society of Medicine in Edinburgh and titled a doctor of medicine and surgery, 14 April 1820.3

In 1824, he relocated to the Atlantic coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia. He remained there for some time studying tropical diseases, acquiring fame for his expertise. He later moved to Bogota.3

On page 322 of a book called the Four Seasons of Manuela, written by Victor W. Von Hagen, published by Dent in 1952, there is a short reference to a Dr. Richard Ninian Cheyne. It describes an incident in near Bogotá in 1829 involving the doctor, described as ‘a handsome Scotsman’, as he attends a lady called Manuela, who has fallen from a horse and who was romantically connected to Simon Bolivar.4

Simon Bolivar, the General, who gave independence to 5 countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela ) from Spain and later became president, had a murder attempt and Dr. Cheyne was called to assist him, becoming his personal doctor.

Simon Bolivar gave Dr. Cheyne a golden sword with precious stones which was called The Birnania Sword. It is now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It was donated by Amelia Branson Cheyne, his granddaughter.3

Dr. Cheyne was also the personal doctor of General Santander, second in importance in Colombian history.5

In 1831 he was formally accepted into the Colombian Medical Society.3

Ninian Richard Cheyne married Paula Fajardo Barona 1837, in Popayan, Cauca, Colombia. His wife was a member of one of the most important and affluent families in Popayan. This union produced eleven children.3

In 1847 the Colombian Congress gave Dr Cheyne a life pension of sixteen thousand reales per year, in recognition of his dedication and work.3

Ninian Richard Cheyne died 16 March 1872 in Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia.3

The attached is a transcription of the account of Dr. Ninian Richard Cheyne, in Jose Marfa Restrepo & Raimundo Rivas, Genealogias de Santafe de Bogota, Editorial Gente Nueva, Bogota, 1992, Pages 388-390 and a second account of unknown source. Both furnished by Sandra Cheyne.6

Ninian Richard Cheyne was buried, at British Cemetery, in Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia..7

Family

Paula Fajardo Barona b. c 1800
Children

Citations

  1. [S9] International Genealogy Index, Midlothian Parish, Batch C119819, Serial 1374.
  2. [S129] W. D. Cheyne-MacPherson, Cheynes of Inverugie, Esslemont, and Arnage, Page 28.
  3. [S433] Jose Marfa Restrepo & Raimundo Rivas, Genealoglas de Santafe de Bogota, Transcription and partial translation of the text of the account of Dr. Ninian Richard Cheyne, pages 388-390, by Sandia Cheyne, a direct descendent.
  4. [S460] Information provided by a Web Page Contributor, Biograghical note was provided by Andrew Cheyne, via email, 3 October 2008.
  5. [S434] Records of Sandra Cheyne, in Colombia, South America, Image and biographical account provided by Sandia Cheyne, a direct descendent, 25 January 2008.
  6. [S433] Jose Marfa Restrepo & Raimundo Rivas, Genealoglas de Santafe de Bogota, Transcription of the text of the account of Dr. Ninian Richard Cheyne, pages 388-390, by Sandia Cheyne, a direct descendent.
  7. [S460] Information provided by a Web Page Contributor, Place of burial, provided by Carlos Castro Oficina, a direct relative, 1 September 2010.