John Bleasdale

Who was John Bleasdale?

Rev. Dr. John Ignatius Bleasdale was an English-born Priest, Chemist and Mineralogist active in Australia and President of the Royal Society of Victoria in 1865.

Bleasdale was born in Kirkham, Lancashire, England and was educated at private schools in Preston, then trained as a clergyman, first at the English College, Lisbon in Portugal then, forced to return to England by ill health, at St Mary’s College, Oscott Birmingham. Following his ordainment by Cardinal Wiseman, Rev. Bleasdale served as a military chaplain at Weedon in Britain. He arrived in Victoria in 1851 and was appointed to the mission at Geelong. In 1855 he became vice-president of St. Patrick's College in Melbourne. He was for several years private secretary to the Bishop of Melbourne.

Bleasdale was a foundation member of the Melbourne Microscopical Society, a fellow of the Geographical and Linnean societies and honorary member of Medical Society of Victoria. He was also one of the leading advocates for wine in Victoria.

Bleasdale migrated to California in 1877 and died in San Francisco in June 1884.