An officer in the British Royal Artillery, John Eyre was stationed in Hong Kong from 1849 to 1851, where he made some botanical collections. He collected alongside Henry Hance before the latter was taken ill and had to return to England in 1850. In this year they both met Berthold Seeman, whom they also collected with. Eyre was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to General in about 1860. Some of the plants he discovered were named in his honour, such as Eyrea vernalis Champ. ex Benth. And Quercus eyrie Champ. ex Benth.

Sources:
E. Bretschneider, 1898, History of European Botanical Discoveries In China:.