The Resume

(February 5, 1744-September 16, 1819)
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Surgeon, scientist, and balloonist
With Jean-Pierre Blanchard made the first balloon crossing of the English Channel (November 30, 1784)

Why he might be annoying:

His attempt at giving the first public anatomy lecture in America ended with a mob breaking into the operating theater and carrying off the cadaver (1774).
During the American Revolution, he joined the British Army as a military surgeon.
He eventually moved to England, but first visited his father's house and stole a batch of letters from dignitaries such as Benjamin Franklin.
When he left the Army, he sold off his surgeon's commission to a man with no medical training at all.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was the first balloonist to bring along scientific instruments (including a thermometer, a barometer and vials for collecting air samples) to measure how conditions changed during ascent.
Blanchard, not wanting to share the glory, kept trying to prevent him from joining the English Channel crossing, even though Jeffries was footing the bills.
During the Channel flight, he brought along a letter to Benjamin Franklin's grandson, the first airmail.
He was one of the first weather observers in the US, keeping detailed records of Boston's weather starting in 1774.
In his honor, National Weatherperson's Day is celebrated on his birthday.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 18th Century Scientists
• 19th Century Scientists
• Balloonists
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 47]
• I Attended Harvard
• I Named My Kid After Myself
• I Outlived My Child
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Younger than Me
• People with John or Mary in their Names
• Profiles 34251-34500 (Ranked: 34336)
• Scientists
• Served in the American Revolution [1775-89]

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying