(Material researched & presented by Barbara Armstrong)

[1807 - 1888]

James John Hudson was born in London on May 8, 1807. He and his family landed in Melbourne early in 1851, just at the time of the gold rush. After working in the goldfields for a short period, he moved to Tasmania in 1852, purchasing a bookseller's and stationery business in Launceston.

Mr Hudson was an active worker in many social and commercial institutions. He became a Justice of the Peace in 1865, was chairman for several years of the Launceston Benevolent Society, and was the founder of the Northern Tasmanian Permanent Building Society.

Mr Hudson was a firm supporter of homœopathy. In September 1886 a meeting was held to consider the wording of a new Poisons' Bill. The proposed wording of the Bill placed some restrictions on homœopathic medicines and, in the opinion of the attendees at the meeting, indicated that the person who had drafted the Bill had no understanding of homœopathy.

Mr Hudson was chairman at that meeting of 30 homœopathic chemists and supporters of homœopathy. He stated that he was very proud to hold the position of chairman and that he had been a supporter of homœopathy for 40 years (i.e. around 1846, prior to his arrival in Australia). The many opportunities he had of witnessing the good effects resulting from the use of homœopathy had induced him to give the system a trial. He was astounded at the alleviation he had obtained by being treated homœopathically. He thought that all those who had an interest in homœopathy should see that their rights were not infringed.

At the same meeting Mr Henry Button stated that he had consulted Mr Hudson on a medical matter and had been treated and cured with homœopathic medicines. Since that time his family had never consulted a medical man, all their ailments being treated homœopathically. It is not known if Mr Hudson continued to be a lay prescriber to Mr Button's family and to others.

When Mr A.J.B. Jenner moved to Launceston in 1867 and conducted a lecture on homœopathy at the Mechanics' Institute, it was Mr Hudson who was the chairman of that event.

Mr Hudson married twice and had 10 children. One of his sons, George Pridden Hudson, was also present at the 1886 meeting in support of homœopathy.

James John Hudson died on 16 December, 1888. According to his obituary it was stated that he 'may be said to have been the first to introduce the practise of that system of medicine [i.e. homœopathy] into Launceston.'

©  Barbara Armstrong

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