James Silk Buckingham

James Silk Buckingham ( born August 25, 1786 in Flushing in Falmouth, Cornwall, † June 30, 1855 in London) was a British explorer and writer.

Buckingham was born on August 25, 1786 in Flushing. As of 1796, he went to sea. In 1806 he married Elizabeth Jennings, with whom he had several children. In October 1818, he founded the successful Calcutta Journal, which criticized the government of British India. Governor General John Adam pointed him in April 1823 of the country and banned the journal. Buckingham turned to, among other things, the House of Commons and the Privy Council, his complaints were dismissed. Only much later, he received from the British East India Company compensation in the form of an annual pension of 200 pounds. In his travels to and from India, he beheld many lands, on which he published travel reports. In January 1824 he founded the Oriental Herald and Colonial Review, which was published until December 1829. It was followed by two more short-lived phenomena, founded the journal Athenaeum in January 1828 to Buckingham. However, he left the same year.

In December 1832 Buckingham was elected to Parliament for Sheffield and represented his constituency until July 1837. During this time, he advocated the abolition of flogging in the army and navy and the pressing of seamen. Buckingham also supported the temperance movement.

In October 1837 he toured for four years America. 1843 was founded at the instigation of the British and Foreign Institute. However, it was only four years inventory. 1847 to 1848 he toured Europe. In 1851 he became President of the London Temperance League.

Buckingham was a prolific writer and has written several books and pamphlets. He also held lectures on his travels.

Writings

• James Silk Buckingham: Travel through Syria and Palestine, Vol 2; Weimar 1827/28
• James Silk Buckingham: Travels in Mesopotamia, London 1827
• James Silk Buckingham: National Evils and Practical Remedies, with the plan of a Model Town, London 1849