#OnThisDay 28 February 1790 John Irving was the first convict granted an absolute pardon by Governor Phillip. Irving was transported on the Scarborough and Lady Penrhyn where his surgical training first came to notice.
After his emancipation he was appointed assistant surgeon on Norfolk Island and returned to the mainland in 1791. Irving was granted 30 acres and posted to the temporary hospital at Parramatta. He died in 1795 and was buried at St John's Parramatta.
Source: Cleland, J. (1938). Australian Convict Doctors
