Background
He was born in Glasgow the son of Thomas Thomson, chemistry professor at Glasgow University.
He was born in Glasgow the son of Thomas Thomson, chemistry professor at Glasgow University.
University of Glasgow.
He qualified as an Doctor of Medicine at Glasgow University in 1839, as was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Bengal Army 21 December 1839. He served during the campaign in Afghanistan 1839-1842 being present at the capture of Ghuzni in 1839 and was taken prisoner at Ghuzni in March 1842 but was released 21 September 1842. He was promoted Surgeon on 1 December 1853 and Surgeon Major on 21 December 1859.
He was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1855 and retired 25 September 1863.
He died in London, England, on 18 April 1878.
Royal Society]
He became Superintendent of the Honourable East India Company"s Botanic Garden at Calcutta and was the Naturalist to and Member of the Tibet Mission.