About John Clinch
Lived 1749 – 1819 (aged 70). John Clinch was a physician.
John Clinch (January 9, 1749 – November 22, 1819) was a clergyman-physician credited with being the first man to practice vaccination in North America.
Biography He was born in Cirencester, England, one of twin children of Thomas Clinch of Bere Regis in Dorset. In 1798 he administered the first smallpox vaccines at Trinity, Newfoundland. Clinch had attended school in Cirencester with the vaccine pioneer Edward Jenner, and both had then studied medicine under John Hunter.
Clinch also compiled a glossary of the Beothuk language containing over 100 words.
He died in 1819 in Trinity, Newfoundland.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Clinch?
English-American physician (1749-1819)
When was John Clinch born?
John Clinch was born on 9 January 1749 in Cirencester.
When did John Clinch die?
John Clinch died on 22 November 1819 in Trinity.
What was John Clinch's occupation?
John Clinch was a physician.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Clinch. https://biography.guide/john-clinch-physician/
MLA: "John Clinch." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-clinch-physician/.
Chicago: "John Clinch." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-clinch-physician/.
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