DCB/DBC Mobile beta  McCORMICK, ROBERT, naval surgeon, Arctic
explorer, and naturalist; b. 22 July 1800 at Runham, near Great
Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, the only son of Robert McCormick,
rn; d. 25 Oct. 1890 at Wimbledon (now part of Greater London),
England.  Robert McCormick spent his childhood near Great
Yarmouth and was educated by his mother and sisters. His father,
a naval surgeon, had encouraged young Robert to become a naval
executive officer, but his death in the wreck of the Defense in
December 1817 left his son without the necessary influence and
means. In 1821 Robert decided to enter the Royal Navy as a
surgeon. He was accepted as an apprentice by the famous
Sir Astley Paston Cooper, originally from Norfolk, and after
study in London at Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospitals he became a
member of the Royal College of Surgeons on 6 Dec. 1822. In 1823,
as assistant surgeon, he was assigned to the flagship
Queen Charlotte.  McCormick’s first duty was in the Caribbean
where he served until 1825 when he contr