Menzies (pronounced Ming-ess) was appointed surgeon on board HMS Prince of Wales, which was travelling round Cape Horn to the northern Pacific. He collected a number of new plants on this voyage, and also ensured that none of the crew died of illness.
In 1790 Menzies was appointed as naturalist to accompany George Vancouver on his voyage around the world on HMS Discovery. When the surgeon fell ill Menzies took over his duties, and again not one man died of ill health.
After the voyage Menzies served with the Navy in the West Indies. He received the degree of M.D. at Aberdeen University in 1799. After retiring from the Navy he became a doctor and surgeon at Notting Hill, London.
His name is commemorated in the scientific names of several of the plants he discovered, including Menziesia, a genus of shrubs in the Ericaceae, and the Douglas-firPseudotsuga menziesii, the most important tree in western North America.