[3] Failing health forced him to seek a warmer climate, and in July 1864 he set sail on a three-month journey to Chile, where one of his brothers lived.
[3] While in South America, King met many native botanists, including R. A. Philippi, who was professor of natural history at the University of Chile in Santiago.
King procured seeds of ornamental flowers, with the idea of introducing them to his homeland, and he presented several of these to Kew in 1892.
Under Professors Alexander Dickson and Isaac Bayley Balfour,[1] he studied classes in botany at the University of Glasgow.
His health having improved during his time abroad, he decided to remain in Glasgow, living at 110 Hill Street in Garnethill.
[1] James Stirton and John Stevenson wrote an obituary for King in the following year's The Annals of Scottish Natural History.