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'''Charles Tilstone Beke''' (1800-1874), [[England|English]] traveller, [[geographer]], and biblical critic, was born in [[Stepney]], [[London]], on |
'''Charles Tilstone Beke''' (1800-1874), [[England|English]] traveller, [[geographer]], and biblical critic, was born in [[Stepney]], [[London]], on [[10th October]] 1800. His father was a merchant in the [[City of London]], and Beke engaged for a few years in mercantile pursuits. He afterwards studied law at [[Lincoln's Inn]], and for a time practised at the bar, but finally devoted himself to the study of historical, geographical and ethnographical subjects. |
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The first fruits of his researches appeared in his work |
The first fruits of his researches appeared in his work ''Origines Biblicae'' or ''Researches in Primeval History'', published in 1834. An attempt to reconstruct the early history of the human face from [[geology|geological]] data, it raised a storm of opposition on the part of defenders of the traditional readings of the [[Book of Genesis]]; but in recognition of the value of the work the [[University of Tübingen]] conferred upon him the degree of [[Ph.D.]] |
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For about two years (1837-1838) Bake held the post of acting British consul in [[Saxony]]. From that time until his death his attention was largely given to geographical studies, chiefly of the [[Nile River|Nile valley]]. Aided by private friends, he visited [[Abyssinia]] (Ethiopia) in connection with the mission to [[Shoa]] sent by the [[India]]n government under the leadership of Major (afterwards Sir) [[William Cornwallis Harris]], and explored [[Gojam]] and more southern regions up to that time unknown to [[Europe]]ans. Among other achievements, Beke was the first to determine, with any approach to scientific accuracy, the course of the [[Abai]] (Blue Nile). The valuable results of this journey, which occupied him from 1840 to 1843, he gave to the world in a number of papers in scientific publications, chiefly in the ''Journal of the Royal Geographical Society''. |
For about two years (1837-1838) Bake held the post of acting British consul in [[Saxony]]. From that time until his death his attention was largely given to geographical studies, chiefly of the [[Nile River|Nile valley]]. Aided by private friends, he visited [[Abyssinia]] (Ethiopia) in connection with the mission to [[Shoa]] sent by the [[India]]n government under the leadership of Major (afterwards Sir) [[William Cornwallis Harris]], and explored [[Gojam]] and more southern regions up to that time unknown to [[Europe]]ans. Among other achievements, Beke was the first to determine, with any approach to scientific accuracy, the course of the [[Abai]] (Blue Nile). The valuable results of this journey, which occupied him from 1840 to 1843, he gave to the world in a number of papers in scientific publications, chiefly in the ''Journal of the Royal Geographical Society''. |
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On his return to London, Beke re-engaged in commerce, but devoted all his leisure to geographical and kindred studies. In 1848 he planned an expedition from the mainland opposite [[Zanzibar]] to discover the sources of the [[Nile]]. A start was made, but the expedition accomplished little. Beke's belief that the White Nile was the main stream was, however, shown to be accurate by subsequent exploration. |
On his return to London, Beke re-engaged in commerce, but devoted all his leisure to geographical and kindred studies. In 1848 he planned an expedition from the mainland opposite [[Zanzibar]] to discover the sources of the [[Nile]]. A start was made, but the expedition accomplished little. Beke's belief that the White Nile was the main stream was, however, shown to be accurate by subsequent exploration. |
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In 1856 he endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to establish commercial relations with Abyssinia through [[Massawa]]. In 1861-1862 he and his wife travelled in [[Syria]] and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], and went to [[Egypt]] with the object of promoting trade with [[Central Africa]] and the growth of [[cotton]] in the [[Sudan]]. In 1865 he again went to Abyssinia for the purpose of obtaining from King Theodore the release of the British captives. On learning that the captives had been released, Beke turned back, but Theodore afterwards re-arrested the party. To the military expedition sent to effect their release Beke furnished much valuable information, and his various services to the government and to geographical research were acknowledged by the award of 500 in 1868 by the secretary for India, and by the grant of a civil list pension of 100 in 1870. In his |
In 1856 he endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to establish commercial relations with Abyssinia through [[Massawa]]. In 1861-1862 he and his wife travelled in [[Syria]] and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], and went to [[Egypt]] with the object of promoting trade with [[Central Africa]] and the growth of [[cotton]] in the [[Sudan]]. In 1865 he again went to Abyssinia for the purpose of obtaining from King Theodore the release of the British captives. On learning that the captives had been released, Beke turned back, but Theodore afterwards re-arrested the party. To the military expedition sent to effect their release Beke furnished much valuable information, and his various services to the government and to geographical research were acknowledged by the award of 500 in 1868 by the secretary for India, and by the grant of a civil list pension of 100 in 1870. In his 74th year he undertook a journey to Egypt for the purpose of determining the real position of [[Mount Sinai]]. He conceived that it was on the eastern side of the [[Gulf of Aqaba]], and his journey convinced him that his view was right. It has not, however, commended itself to general acceptance. Beke died at [[Bromley]], in [[Kent]], on [[31st July]] 1874. |
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Beke's writings are very numerous. Among the more important, besides those already named, are |
Beke's writings are very numerous. Among the more important, besides those already named, are ''An Essay on the Nile and its Tributaries'' (1847), ''The Sources of the Nile ''(1860), and ''The British Captives in Abyssinia'' (I865). He was a fellow of the [[Royal Geographical Society]], and for his contributions to the knowledge of Abyssinia received its gold medal, and also that of the Geographical Society of France. As a result of a controversy over the statements of another Abyssinian explorer, [[Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie]], Beke returned the medal awarded him by the French Society. |
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== Reference == |
== Reference == |
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Revision as of 14:14, 2 April 2006
Charles Tilstone Beke (1800-1874), English traveller, geographer, and biblical critic, was born in Stepney, London, on 10th October 1800. His father was a merchant in the City of London, and Beke engaged for a few years in mercantile pursuits. He afterwards studied law at Lincoln's Inn, and for a time practised at the bar, but finally devoted himself to the study of historical, geographical and ethnographical subjects.
The first fruits of his researches appeared in his work Origines Biblicae or Researches in Primeval History, published in 1834. An attempt to reconstruct the early history of the human face from geological data, it raised a storm of opposition on the part of defenders of the traditional readings of the Book of Genesis; but in recognition of the value of the work the University of Tübingen conferred upon him the degree of Ph.D.
For about two years (1837-1838) Bake held the post of acting British consul in Saxony. From that time until his death his attention was largely given to geographical studies, chiefly of the Nile valley. Aided by private friends, he visited Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in connection with the mission to Shoa sent by the Indian government under the leadership of Major (afterwards Sir) William Cornwallis Harris, and explored Gojam and more southern regions up to that time unknown to Europeans. Among other achievements, Beke was the first to determine, with any approach to scientific accuracy, the course of the Abai (Blue Nile). The valuable results of this journey, which occupied him from 1840 to 1843, he gave to the world in a number of papers in scientific publications, chiefly in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society.
On his return to London, Beke re-engaged in commerce, but devoted all his leisure to geographical and kindred studies. In 1848 he planned an expedition from the mainland opposite Zanzibar to discover the sources of the Nile. A start was made, but the expedition accomplished little. Beke's belief that the White Nile was the main stream was, however, shown to be accurate by subsequent exploration.
In 1856 he endeavoured, unsuccessfully, to establish commercial relations with Abyssinia through Massawa. In 1861-1862 he and his wife travelled in Syria and Palestine, and went to Egypt with the object of promoting trade with Central Africa and the growth of cotton in the Sudan. In 1865 he again went to Abyssinia for the purpose of obtaining from King Theodore the release of the British captives. On learning that the captives had been released, Beke turned back, but Theodore afterwards re-arrested the party. To the military expedition sent to effect their release Beke furnished much valuable information, and his various services to the government and to geographical research were acknowledged by the award of 500 in 1868 by the secretary for India, and by the grant of a civil list pension of 100 in 1870. In his 74th year he undertook a journey to Egypt for the purpose of determining the real position of Mount Sinai. He conceived that it was on the eastern side of the Gulf of Aqaba, and his journey convinced him that his view was right. It has not, however, commended itself to general acceptance. Beke died at Bromley, in Kent, on 31st July 1874.
Beke's writings are very numerous. Among the more important, besides those already named, are An Essay on the Nile and its Tributaries (1847), The Sources of the Nile (1860), and The British Captives in Abyssinia (I865). He was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and for his contributions to the knowledge of Abyssinia received its gold medal, and also that of the Geographical Society of France. As a result of a controversy over the statements of another Abyssinian explorer, Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie, Beke returned the medal awarded him by the French Society.
Reference
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
