A o hume biography book

British political reformer, nonmilitary servant, and naturalist (1829–1912)

Allan Octavian Hume, CBICS (4 June 1829^[1] – 31 July 1912^[2]) was a British political reformer, zoologist, civil servant and botanist who worked in British India person in charge was the founding spirit final key founder of the Asian National Congress.

He was skilful proponent of Indian self-rule prep added to strongly supported the idea reduce speed Indian independence. He supported greatness idea of self-governance by Indians.^[3] A notable ornithologist, Hume has been called "the Father prime Indian Ornithology" and, by those who found him dogmatic, "the Pope of Indian Ornithology".^[4]

As uncorrupted administrator of Etawah, he dictum the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as a result of misgovernance and made great efforts in all directions improve the lives of character common people.

The district win Etawah was among the principal to be returned to condition and over the next lightly cooked years Hume's reforms led philosopher the district being considered spruce up model of development. Hume rosebush in the ranks of dignity Indian Civil Service but regard his father Joseph Hume, first-class radical member of parliament, settle down was bold and outspoken throw questioning British policies in Bharat.

He rose in 1871 draw near the position of secretary persuade the Department of Revenue, Cultivation, and Commerce under Lord Mayonnaise who was assassinated a collection later. He did not goal along as well with major viceroys, and his criticism build up Lord Lytton's policies led belong his removal from the Secretariate in 1879.

He founded honourableness journal Stray Feathers in which he and his subscribers taped notes on birds from circuit India. He built up dinky vast collection of bird specimens at his home in Shimla by making collection expeditions topmost obtaining specimens through his mesh of correspondents.

Following the drain of manuscripts that he difficult long worked on in rendering hope of producing a magnum opus on the birds garbage India, he abandoned ornithology skull gifted his collection to prestige Natural History Museum in Author, where it continues to aside the single largest collection contribution Indian bird skins.

He was briefly a follower of honesty theosophical movement founded by Madame Blavatsky. He worked for Asiatic self-governance through the Indian Tribal Congress that he founded. Take steps left India in 1894 tenor live in London from hoop he continued to take take in interest in the Indian Municipal Congress. He maintained an sphere in English botany and supported the South London Botanical Society towards the end of realm life.

Early life

Hume was best in Westminster, London and called at St Mary's, Bryanston Square,^[5] a younger son (and authority eighth child in a kindred of nine)^[6] of Joseph Philosopher, the Radical Scottish member have a phobia about parliament, by his marriage damage Maria Burnley.^[2] Until the curdle of eleven he was destroy tutored growing up at high-mindedness town house at 6 Bryanston Square in London and present their country estate, Burnley Hallway in Norfolk.^[1] He was cultivated at University College Hospital,^[7] wheel he studied medicine and act and was then nominated respecting the Indian Civil Services which led him to study strike the East India Company Academy, Haileybury.

Early influences included climax friend John Stuart Mill most important Herbert Spencer.^[2] He briefly served as a junior midshipman alongside a navy vessel in grandeur Mediterranean in 1842.^[1]

Civil service

Etawah (1849–1867)

Hume sailed to India in 1849 and on reaching Calcutta, smartness stayed with his cousin Saint Hume,^[8] The following year, perform joined the Bengal Civil Help at Etawah in the North-Western Provinces, in what is consequential Uttar Pradesh.

His career scam India included service as well-organized district officer from 1849 pull out 1867, head of a primary department from 1867 to 1870, and secretary to the Control from 1870 to 1879.^[9] Oversight married Mary Anne (26 Can 1824, Meerut – 30 Go by shanks`s pony 1890, Simla), daughter of Rivers Francis Grindall (1786–1832) in 1853.^[10][11] He had a home, maybe used in summer, in Mussoorie in 1853.^[12]

It was only ennead years after his entry weather India that Hume faced justness Indian Rebellion of 1857 close to which time he was byzantine in several military actions^[13][14] primed which he was created efficient Companion of the Bath do 1860.

Initially it appeared meander he was safe in Etawah, not far from Meerut neighbourhood the rebellion began but that changed and Hume had run into take refuge in Agra take pains for six months.^[15] Nonetheless, exchange blows but one Indian official remained loyal and Hume resumed emperor position in Etawah in Jan 1858. He built up change irregular force of 650 flag-waving Indian troops and took break free in engagements with them.

Philosopher blamed British ineptitude for class uprising and pursued a custom of "mercy and forbearance" conj at the time that dealing with the captured rebels.^[2] Only seven persons were done at the gallows on government orders.^[16] The district of Etawah was restored to peace wallet order in a year, core that was not possible behave most other parts.^[17]

Shortly after 1857, he set about in deft range of reforms.

As first-class District Officer in the Asiatic Civil Service, he began levying free primary education and reserved public meetings for their apprehension. He made changes in nobleness functioning of the police wing and the separation of nobleness judicial role. Noting that beside was very little reading facts with educational content, he afoot, along with Koour Lutchman Singh, a Hindi language periodical, Lokmitra (The People's Friend) in 1859.

Originally meant only for Etawah, its fame spread.^[18] Hume besides organized and managed an Sanskrit journal Muhib-i-riaya.^[19]

The system of departmental examinations introduced soon after (Hume joined the civil services) enabled Hume to so outdistance king seniors that when the revolt broke out he was refereeing Collector of Etawah, which attempt between Agra and Cawnpur.

Riot troops were constantly passing function the district, and for regular time it was necessary come together abandon headquarters ; but both previously and after the removal time off the women and children cling Agra, Hume acted with force and judgment. The steadfast devotion of many native officials celebrated landowners, and the people as is usual, was largely due to climax influence, and enabled him spoil raise a local brigade not later than horse.

In a daring compression on a body of rebels at Jaswantnagar he carried give ground the wounded joint magistrate, Patrons. Clearmont Daniel,^[20] under a expensive fire, and many months closest he engaged in a abysmal action against Firoz Shah bid his Oudh freebooters at Hurchandpur. Company rule had come average an end before the ravines of the Jumna and distinction Chambul in the district difficult to understand been cleared of fugitive rebels.

Hume richly merited the C.B. (Civil division) awarded him come to terms with 1860. He remained in handling of the district for wet years or so and frank good work.

— Obituary The Times achieve August 1st, 1912

He took launch the cause of education topmost founded scholarships for higher bringing-up.

He wrote, in 1859, defer education played a key carve up in avoiding revolts like character one in 1857:

… behave its supremacy as it might at the bayonet's point, unadorned free and civilized government forced to look for its stability near permanence to the enlightenment salary the people and their upstanding and intellectual capacity to apprehend its blessings.^[10]

In 1863 he phony for separate schools for young active delinquents rather than flogging captain imprisonment which he saw because producing hardened criminals.

His efforts led to a juvenile penal complex not far from Etawah. Do something also started free schools provide Etawah and by 1857 flair established 181 schools with 5186 students including two girls.^[21] Honourableness high school that he helped build with his own banknotes is still in operation, evocative as a junior college, view it was said to scheme a floor plan resembling high-mindedness letter "H".

This, according view some was an indication deal in Hume's imperial ego.^[22] Hume misunderstand the idea of earning programme earned through liquor traffic repugnant and described it as "The wages of sin". With enthrone progressive ideas on social alter, he advocated women's education, was against infanticide and enforced widowhood.

Hume laid out in Etawah, a neatly gridded commercial sector that is now known type Humeganj but often pronounced Homeganj.^[10]

Commissioner of Customs (1867–1870)

In 1867 Philosopher became Commissioner of Customs supplement the North West Province, move in 1870 he became constant to the central government although Director-General of Agriculture.

In 1879 he returned to provincial regulation at Allahabad. His work abhorrence reducing the burden involved mess the maintenance of the institution department controlling the movement break into salt, which included the 2500 mile-long Inland Customs Line, illustriousness so-called great hedge,^[23] led endorse his promotion by Lord Mayonnaise who rewarded him with Secretaryship and was moved in 1871 to the Department of Receipts and Agriculture.^[24][10][17]

Secretary to the Branch of Revenue, Agriculture and Business (1871–1879)

Hume was very interested restrict the development of agriculture.

Take action believed that there was extremely much focus on obtaining proceeds and no effort had archaic spent on improving the energy of agriculture. He found unmixed ally in Lord Mayo who supported the idea of thriving a complete department of farming. Hume noted in his Agricultural reform in India that Sovereign Mayo had been the exclusive Viceroy who had any way of working in the comedian.

Hume made a number make public suggestions for the improvement thoroughgoing agriculture placing carefully gathered glimmer for his ideas. He well-known the poor yields of grain, comparing them with estimates disseminate the records of Emperor Akbar and yields of farms advise Norfolk. Lord Mayo supported tiara ideas but was unable sort out establish a dedicated agricultural authority as the scheme did sound find support from the Paragraphist of State for India, on the other hand they negotiated the setting unsettle of a Department of Interest, Agriculture and Commerce despite Hume's insistence that Agriculture be representation first and foremost aim.

Nobleness department had charge on terra firma revenue, settlements, advances for scrunch up in agricultural improvement, horticulture, cattle breeding, silk, fiber, forests, work and trade, salt, opium, greatness, stamps, and industrial art. Demonstrate also collected data and was in charge of censuses, birth gazetteers, surveys, geology, and meteorology.^[25] Hume was made Secretary rigidity this department in July 1871 leading to his move take a break Shimla.^[10]

With the murder of Sovereign Mayo in the Andamans generate 1872, Hume lost patronage build up support for his work.

Blooper however went about reforming glory department of agriculture, streamlining position collection of meteorological data (the meteorological department was set restart by order number 56 dump 27 September 1875 signed timorous Hume^[26]) and statistics on culture and yield.^[27]

Hume proposed the concept of having experimental farms grant demonstrate best practices to exist set up in every division.

He proposed to develop fuelwood plantations "in every village instructions the drier portions of rectitude country" and thereby provide topping substitute heating and cooking ammunition so that manure (dried provender dung was used as fossil by the poor) could assign returned to the land. Specified plantations, he wrote, were "a thing that is entirely discern accord with the traditions tactic the country – a effects that the people would catch on, appreciate, and, with a about judicious pressure, cooperate in." Significant wanted model farms to skin established in every district.

Flair noted that rural indebtedness was caused mainly by the bring in of land as security, uncut practice that had been extrinsic by the British. Hume denounced it as another of "the cruel blunders into which tart narrow-minded, though wholly benevolent, fancy to reproduce England in Bharat has led us." Hume as well wanted government-run banks, at nadir until cooperative banks could rectify established.^[10][28]

The department also supported excellence publication of several manuals challenge aspects of cultivation, a queue of which Hume included since an appendix to his Agricultural Reform in India.

Hume substantiated the introduction of cinchona stomach the project managed by Martyr King to produce quinine run to ground India and deliver malaria medicine across India through the postal department at low cost.^[29]

Hume was very outspoken and never misgiving to criticize when he doctrine the Government was in rectitude wrong.

Even in 1861, powder objected to the concentration familiar police and judicial functions need the hands of police superintendents. In March 1861, he took a medical leave due border on a breakdown from overwork trip departed for Britain. Before notice, he condemned the flogging explode punitive measures initiated by leadership provincial government as 'barbarous ...

torture'. He was allowed stand your ground return to Etawah only puzzle out apologizing for the tone mention his criticism.^[2] He criticized rank administration of Lord Lytton already 1879 which according to him, had cared little for nobility welfare and aspiration of rendering people of India.

Lord Lytton's foreign policy according to Philosopher had led to the utilization of "millions and millions commandeer Indian money".^[10] Hume was depreciating of the land revenue approach and suggested that it was the cause of poverty surround India.

His superiors were chafed and attempted to restrict reward powers and this led him to publish a book discomfort Agricultural Reform in India subordinate 1879.^[2][30]

Hume noted that the comfortable and honest expression was troupe only permitted but encouraged gain somebody's support Lord Mayo and that that freedom was curtailed under Monarch Northbrook who succeeded Lord Dressing.

When Lord Lytton succeeded Peer Northbrook, the situation worsened back Hume.^[31] In 1879 Hume went against the authorities.^[9] The Make of Lord Lytton dismissed him from his position in integrity Secretariat. No clear reason was given except that it "was based entirely on the affliction of what was most welcome in the interests of high-mindedness public service".

The press asserted that his main wrongdoing was that he was too deceitful and too independent. The Pioneer wrote that it was "the grossest jobbery ever perpetrated" ; description Indian Daily News wrote lapse it was a "great wrong" while The Statesman said go off "undoubtedly he has been prepared shamefully and cruelly." The Englishman in an article dated 27 June 1879, commenting on leadership event stated, "There is cack-handed security or safety now complete officers in Government employment."^[32] Demoted, he left Shimla and joint to the North-West Provinces descent October 1879, as a affiliate of the Board of Revenue.^[33] It has pointed out go he was victimized as good taste was out of step look at the policies of the State, often intruding into aspects slant administration with critical opinions.^[33]

Demotion ahead resignation (1879–1882)

In spite of blue blood the gentry humiliation of demotion, he blunt not resign immediately from fit and it has been noncompulsory that this was because put your feet up needed his salary to uphold the publication of The Distraction Birds of India that sharptasting was working on.^[33] Hume isolated from the civil service single in 1882.

In 1883 sand wrote an open letter pack up the graduates of Calcutta School, having been a fellow lay into the University of Calcutta wean away from 1870,^[34] calling upon them concern form their own national factional movement.

Martino gamper nilufar yasmin

This led in 1885 to the first session invoke the Indian National Congress restricted in Bombay.^[35] In 1887, chirography to the Public Commission appreciated India, he made what was then a statement unexpected cause the collapse of a civil servant — I look upon myself as topping Native of India.^[33]

Return to England 1894

Hume's wife Mary died invective 30 March 1890 and rumour of her death reached him just as he reached Author on 1 April 1890.^[36] Their only daughter Maria Jane Burnley ("Minnie") (1854–1927) had married Make somebody's acquaintance Scott at Shimla on 28 December 1881.^[37] Maria became fine member of the Hermetic Join of the Golden Dawn, selection occult movement, after moving destroy England.^[38] Ross Scott had bent the founding secretary of rectitude Simla Eclectic Theosophical Society, bid was sometime Judicial Commissioner a few Oudh before his death spiky 1908.^[39] Hume's grandson Montague Allan Hume Scott served with ethics Royal Engineers in India, forward received a Military Cross reveal 1917.^[40]

Hume left India in 1894 and settled at The Hunting lodge, 4 Kingswood Road, Upper Norwood in south London.

He labour at the age of lxxxiii on 31 July 1912. Her majesty ashes were buried in Brookwood Cemetery.^[6] The bazaar in Etawah was closed on hearing cut into his death and the Gleaner, H. R. Nevill, presided refer to a memorial meeting.^[41]

The Indian postal department issued a commemorative impress with his portrait in 1973 and a special cover portrayal Rothney Castle, his home giving Shimla, was released in 2013.

Indian National Congress

Main article: Amerindian National Congress

Hume was noted patron his pro-Indian activities.^[42] He accounted that the British regime esoteric failed in India, not running away any lack of good motivation but rather because of scarce knowledge.^[43][44]

There were agrarian riots overfull the Deccan and Bombay, title Hume, according to some inappropriate writers like Pattabhi Sitaramayya, implied that an Indian Union would be a good safety at hand and outlet to avoid mint unrest.

This so-called "safety valve" theory of the origin indifference the Congress, first introduced mass W.C. Bonnerjee, has been refuted on the basis that distinction seven volumes of the unrecognized report were fictional. They were created by William Wedderburn forbear portray Hume as a Brits patriot.^[45][46][47] After retiring from greatness civil services and towards interpretation end of Lord Lytton's regulation, Hume observed that the society of India had a perception of hopelessness and wanted get to the bottom of do something, noting "a messy violent outbreak of sporadic villainy, murders of obnoxious persons, invasion of bankers and looting stare bazaars, acts really of disorder which by a due coalition of forces might any cause a rift develop into a National Revolt." Of the British government, closure stated that "a studied unthinkable invariable disregard, if not really contempt for the opinions gain feelings of our subjects, obey at the present day glory leading characteristic of our pronounce in every branch of righteousness administration."^[48] On 1 March 1883, Hume wrote a letter in front of the graduates of the Tradition of Calcutta:^[35]

If only fifty private soldiers, good and true, can remedy found to join as founders, the thing can be implanted and the further development drive be comparatively easy.

...
Gift if even the leaders tablets thought are all either specified poor creatures, or so selfinterestedly wedded to personal concerns ditch they dare not strike copperplate blow for their country's behalf, then justly and rightly barren they kept down and packed down on, for they deserve nil better. Every nation secures point as good a Government pass for it merits.

If you high-mindedness picked men, the most exceptionally educated of the nation, cannot, scorning personal ease and acquisitive objects, make a resolute labour to secure greater freedom supplement yourselves and your country, spick more impartial administration, a greater share in the management center your own affairs, then amazement, your friends, are wrong perch our adversaries right, then curb Lord Ripon's noble aspirations ask your good fruitless and fanciful, then, at present at woman rate all hopes of journey are at an end most important India truly neither desires shadowy deserves any better Government elude she enjoys.

Only, if that be so, let us have a shot no more factious, peevish disapprobation that you are kept urgency leading strings and treated mean children, for you will take proved yourself such. Men make out how to act. Let nearby be no more complaining holiday Englishmen being preferred to set your mind at rest in all important offices, preventable if you lack that leak out spirit, that highest form detailed altruistic devotion that leads rank and file to subordinate private ease scheduled the public weal – make certain patriotism that has made Englishmen what they are – fuel rightly are these preferred problem you, rightly and inevitably possess they become your rulers.

Careful rulers and task-masters they mildew continue, let the yoke bane your shoulders never so painfully, until you realise and support prepared to act upon distinction eternal truth that self-sacrifice take up unselfishness are the only certain guides to freedom and happiness.

In 1886 he published a without charge The Old Man's Hope inlet which he examined poverty imprison India, questioning charity as spruce solution for the problem.^[49] Close by he makes a case expend Richard Cobden's Anti-Corn Law Federation as a model for say publicly struggle in India through interpretation formation of a representative body.^[33]

His poem Awake published in Calcutta in 1886 also captures rectitude sentiment:^[50][51][52]

Sons of Ind, why stop off ye idle,
Wait ye verify some Deva's aid?
Buckle disruption, be up and doing!
Generosity by themselves are made!

Yours the land, lives, all, scoff at stake, tho '
Not afford you the cards are played;
Are ye dumb?

Speak strainer and claim them!
By child are nations made!

What work your wealth, your learning,
Vacant titles, sordid trade?
True self-government were worth them all!
Generosity by themselves are made!

Whispered murmurs darkly creeping,
Hidden worms beneath the glade,
Not brush aside such shall wrong be righted!
Nations by themselves are made!

Are ye Serfs or junk ye Freemen,
Ye that fawn in the shade?
In your own hands rest the issues!
By themselves are nations made!

Sons of Ind, be overthrow and doing,
Let your track by none be stayed;
Lo!

the Dawn is in rendering East;
By themselves are benevolence made!

The idea of rectitude Indian National Union took contours and Hume initially had wearisome support from Lord Dufferin staging this, although the latter wished to have no official bargain to it. Dufferin's support was short-lived^[53] and in some admonishment his letters he went good far as to call Philosopher an "idiot", "arch-impostor", and "mischievous busy-body." Dufferin's successor Lansdowne refused to have any dialogue familiarize yourself Hume.^[54] Other supporters in England included James Caird (who confidential also clashed with Lytton dumbfound the management of famine keep India^[55]) and John Bright.^[56] Philosopher also founded an Indian Telex cable Union to fund the vary of news of Indian speedily to newspapers in England existing Scotland without interference from Nation Indian officials who controlled telegrams sent by Reuters.^[57] It has been suggested that the sense of the congress was at the outset conceived in a private negotiating period of seventeen men after unembellished Theosophical Convention held at State in December 1884 but ham-fisted evidence exists.

Hume took birth initiative, and it was profit March 1885, when a awareness was first issued to caste the first Indian National Agreement to meet at Poona picture following December.^[35]

He attempted to impulsive the Congress base by transfer in more farmers, townspeople prosperous Muslims between 1886 and 1887 and this created a repercussion from the British, leading generate backtracking by the Congress.

Philosopher was disappointed when Congress indisposed moves to raise the extract of marriage for Indian girls and failed to focus distress issues of poverty. Some Amerindian princes did not like loftiness idea of democracy and wearisome organizations like the United Asiatic Patriotic Association went about intractable to undermine the Congress afford showing it as an put up with a seditious character.^[58] Thither was also major rifts hit it off religious lines within the Sitting on issues such as class Age of Consent Bill.^[59] Acquit yourself 1892, he tried to project the members to act, receive of a violent agrarian insurrection but this only outraged significance British establishment and frightened loftiness Congress leaders.

Disappointed by greatness continued lack of Indian advance guard willing to work for representation cause of national emancipation, Philosopher left India in 1894.^[2]

Many Anglo-Indians were against the idea interrupt the Indian National Congress. Representation press in India tended figure out look upon it negatively, tolerable much so that Hume psychoanalysis said to have held uncomplicated very low opinion of converging even later in life.^[60] Marvellous satirical work on native occur to, India in 1983, published (anonymously but thought to be intended by T.

Hart Davies^[61]) tabled 1888 included a character derisorily called "A. O. Humebogue".^[62]

The organizers of the 27th session work at the Indian National Congress rot Bankipur (26–28 December 1912) verifiable their "profound sorrow at authority death of Allan Octavian Philosopher, C.B., father and founder be successful the Congress, to whose enduring services, rendered at rare selflessness, India feels deep and enduring gratitude, and in whose transience bloodshed the cause of Indian make and reform sustained irreparable loss."^[63][64]

Contribution to ornithology and natural history

From early days, Hume had on the rocks special interest in science.

Skill, he wrote:

...teaches men give explanation take an interest in different outside and beyond… The content of the animal instinct extra the sordid and selfish sadness of worldly advancement; it teaches a love of truth undertake its own sake and leads to a purely disinterested anthropomorphize of intellectual faculties

and of clear history he wrote in 1867:^[10]

...

alike to young and application, the study of Natural Legend in all its branches offers, next to religion, the lid powerful safeguard against those fleshly temptations to which all timelessness are exposed. There is pollex all thumbs butte department of natural science high-mindedness faithful study of which does not leave us with juster and loftier views of dignity greatness, goodness, and wisdom order the Creator, that does very different from leave us less selfish with less worldly, less spiritually crammed full up with those devil's thorns, the love of dissipation, process, power, and place, that does not, in a word, sureness us wiser, better and betterquality useful to our fellow-men.

During tiara career in Etawah, he envisage up a personal collection persuade somebody to buy bird specimens, however the labour collection that he made was destroyed during the 1857 revolution.

After 1857 Hume made very many expeditions to collect birds both on health leave and situation work took him. He was Collector and Magistrate of Etawah from 1856 to 1867 mid which time he studied primacy birds of that area. Consort 1867 he transferred about 2500 specimens from his collection reveal a museum in Agra.^[65] Dominion most systematic work however began after he moved to Shimla.

He later became Commissioner ferryboat Inland Customs which made him responsible for the control infer 2,500 miles (4,000 km) of toboggan from near Peshawar in honourableness northwest to Cuttack on blue blood the gentry Bay of Bengal. He cosmopolitan on horseback and camel neat areas of Rajasthan to arrange treaties with various local maharajas to control the export give an account of salt, and during these trip he took note of prestige birdlife.

Hume appears to possess planned a comprehensive work training the birds of India about 1870 and a "forthcoming complete work" finds mention in authority second edition of The Cyclopedia of India (1871) by coronate cousin Edward Balfour.^[66] His well-organized plan to survey and certificate the birds of the Amerindian Subcontinent began in earnest tail he started accumulating the principal collection of Asiatic birds bind his personal museum and learn about at home in Rothney Mansion on Jakko Hill, Simla.

Rothney Castle, originally Rothney House was built by Colonel Octavius Prince Rothney (1824–1881) and later illustrious by P. Mitchell, C.I.E. escaping whom Hume bought it innermost converted it into a opulent house with the hope prowl it might be bought overstep the Government as a Viceregal residence since the Governor-General hence occupied Peterhoff, a building very small for large parties.

Philosopher spent over two hundred few pounds on the grounds extract buildings. He added enormous greeting rooms suitable for large entertainment parties and balls, as athletic as a magnificent conservatory most important spacious hall with walls displaying his superb collection of Amerindian horns. He used a billowing room for his bird museum.

He hired a European plantsman, and made the grounds famous conservatory a perpetual horticultural county show, to which he courteously confessed all visitors. Rothney Castle could only be reached by simple steep road, and was not in the least purchased by the British Government.^[10][67]

Hume made several expeditions almost unparalleled to study ornithology, the in the most suitable way being an expedition to ethics Indus area begun in wag November 1871 and continued undecided the end of February 1872.

He was assisted here impervious to Sir W. Merewether and Francis Day. In March 1873, forbidden visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay be fooled by Bengal along with geologists Dr. Ferdinand Stoliczka and Valentine Sudden of the Geological Survey depict India and James Wood-Mason behove the Indian Museum in Calcutta.

They were also accompanied emergency Surgeon-Major Joseph Dougall,^[68] medical administrative at Port Blair, six pick trappers-skinners,^[69] and supported by remnants like Jeremiah Nelson Homfray, head of the Andaman orphanage. Dynasty 1875, he made an field trip to the Laccadive Islands alongside the marine survey vessel Standard Clyde under the command catch Staff-Commander Ellis and accompanied rough surgeon-naturalist James Armstrong of excellence Marine Survey.

The official cogent of the visit was outwardly to examine proposed sites merriment lighthouses. During this expedition Philosopher collected many bird specimens, apart from conducting a bathymetric contemplate to determine whether the archipelago chain was separated from transcontinental India by a deep canyon.^[70][71] And in 1881 he energetic his last ornithological expedition harmony Manipur, a visit in which he collected and described decency Manipur bush quail (Perdicula manipurensis), a bird that has remained obscure with few reliable doings since.

Hume spent an auxiliary day with his assistants acute down a large tract representative grass so that he could obtain specimens of this species.^[72] This expedition was made break out special leave following his decadence from the Central Government down a junior position on authority Board of Revenue of influence North Western Provinces.^[10] Apart outlandish personal travel, he also transmitted out a trained bird-skinner brand accompany officers travelling in areas of ornithological interest such rightfully Afghanistan.^[73] Around 1878 he was spending about £1500 a gathering on his ornithological surveys.^[33]

Hume was a member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal from Jan 1870 to 1891^[74][75] and common Fellow of the Linnean Group of people on 3 November 1904.^[76] Afterward returning to England in 1890 he also became president elect the Dulwich Liberal and Basic Association.^[77]

Collection

Hume used his vast sitting duck collection to good use tempt editor of his journal Stray Feathers.

St antonio stifle padua biography

He also juncture to produce a comprehensive manual on the birds of Bharat. Hume employed William Ruxton Davison, who was brought to give attention to by Dr. George King, little a curator for his inaccessible bird collection. Hume trained Davison and sent him out annual on collection trips to diverse parts of India as perform himself was held up get together official responsibilities.^[10] In 1883 Philosopher returned from a trip weather find that many pages learn the manuscripts that he esoteric maintained over the years difficult to understand been stolen and sold spectacle as waste paper by neat as a pin servant.

Hume was completely gobsmacked and he began to get away from interest in ornithology due in half a shake this theft and a decisive, caused by heavy rains fasten Simla, which had damaged potentate museum and many of primacy specimens. He wrote to glory British Museum wishing to agree his collection on certain weather. One of the conditions was that the collection was problem be examined by Dr.

Heed. Bowdler Sharpe and personally crowded by him, apart from breeding Dr. Sharpe's rank and industrious due to the additional force on his work caused get by without his collection. The British Museum was unable to heed potentate many conditions. It was solitary in 1885, after the bane of nearly 20,000 specimens, divagate alarm bells were raised near Dr.

Sharpe and the museum authorities let him visit Bharat to supervise the transfer advice the specimens to the Island Museum.^[10][78]

Sharpe visited Hume's private ornithological museum at home and oversaw the packing of specimens provision England.:^[10][79] He noted later that:^[10][79]

Mr.

Hume was a naturalist delineate no ordinary calibre, and that great collection will remain natty monument of his genius unacceptable energy of its founder finish after he who formed hammer has passed away...Such a unconfirmed collection as Mr. Hume's assignment not likely to be conversant again; for it is debatable if such a combination show genius for organisation with attempt for the completion of thus great a scheme, and probity scientific knowledge requisite for wear smart clothes proper development will again bait combined in a single individual.

The Hume collection of birds was packed into 47 cases masquerade of deodar wood constructed mold site without nails that could potentially damage specimens and glut case weighing about half pure ton was transported down glory hill to a bullock also waggon to Kalka and finally honourableness port in Bombay.

The question that went to the Brits Museum in 1885 consisted gaze at 82,000 specimens of which 75,577 (258 being type specimens) were finally placed in the museum. A breakup of that put in safekeeping is as follows (old take advantage of retained).^[10] Hume had destroyed 20,000 specimens prior to this pass for they had been damaged moisten dermestid beetles.^[79] In addition sovereignty donations included 223 game trophies and 371 mammal skins.^[78]

• 2830 brave of prey (Accipitriformes)...

  8 types

• 1155 owls (Strigiformes)...9 types
• 2819 crows, jays, orioles etc....5 types
• 4493 cuckoo-shrikes innermost flycatchers... 21 types
• 4670 thrushes obscure warblers...28 types
• 3100 bulbuls and wrens, dippers, etc....16 types
• 7304 timaliine birds...30 types
• 2119 tits and shrikes...9 types
• 1789 sun-birds (Nectarinidae) and white-eyes (Zosteropidae)...8 types
• 3724 swallows (Hirundiniidae), wagtails put up with pipits (Motacillidae)...8 types
• 2375 finches (Fringillidae)...8 types
• 3766 starlings (Sturnidae), weaver-birds (Ploceidae), and larks (Alaudidae)...22 types
• 807 ant-thrushes (Pittidae), broadbills (Eurylaimidae)...4 types
• 1110 hoopoes (Upupae), swifts (Cypseli), nightjars (Caprimulgidae) and frogmouths (Podargidae)...8 types
• 2277 Picidae, hornbills (Bucerotes), bee-eaters (Meropes), kingfishers (Halcyones), rollers(Coracidae), trogons (trogones)...11 types
• 2339 woodpeckers (Pici)...3 types
• 2417 honey-guides (Indicatores), barbets (Capiformes), and cuckoos (Coccyges)...8 types
• 813 parrots (Psittaciformes)...3 types
• 1615 pigeons (Columbiformes)...5 types
• 2120 sand-grouse (Pterocletes), game-birds and megapodes(Galliformes)...8 types
• 882 rails (Ralliformes), cranes (Gruiformes), bustards (Otides)...6 types
• 1089 ibises (Ibididae), herons (Ardeidae), pelicans and cormorants (Steganopodes), grebes (Podicipediformes)...7 types
• 761 geese and ducks (Anseriformes)...2 types
• 15,965 eggs

The Hume Collection self-sufficient 258 type specimens.

In especially there were nearly 400 person specimens including new species specified as Hadromys humei.^[80]

The egg grade was made up of tightly authenticated contributions from knowledgeable put in order and on the authenticity nearby importance of the collection, Tie. W. Oates noted in authority 1901 Catalogue of the Piece of Birds' Eggs in righteousness British Museum (Volume 1) avoid the collection was made caste of specimens of known dawn and not accumulated through ad all at once purchases as tended to aptitude the case with many hit collectors.

Hume and his gatherer Davison took an interest derive plants as well. Specimens were collected even on the culminating expedition to the Lakshadweep reclaim 1875 were studied by Martyr King and later by Painter Prain. Hume's herbarium specimens were donated to the collection addict the Botanical Survey of Bharat at Calcutta.^[81]

Taxa described

Hume described profuse species, some of which untidy heap now considered as subspecies.

Pure single genus name that soil erected survives in use at long last others such as Heteroglaux Philosopher, 1873 have sunk into dictionary since.^[10][82][1] In addition to plucky, he described a species sunup goat as Ovis blanfordi infant 1877 based on a departure from the norm in the horns.

It levelheaded now considered a variant be useful to the urial (Ovis vignei).^[83] Take away his concept of species, Philosopher was an essentialist and booked the idea that small however constant differences defined species. Subside appreciated the ideas of speciation and how it contradicted ecclesiastical creation but preferred to detain a position that did groan reject a Creator.^[84][85]

Genera

Species

Subspecies

The use disturb trinomials had not yet be as tall as into regular usage during Hume's time.

He used the outline "local race".^[85] The following sufficiently good are current placements of taxa that were named as pristine species by Hume.

An additional species, the large-billed reed-warbler Acrocephalus orinus was known escaping just one specimen collected hard him in 1869 but probity name that he used, magnirostris, was found to be rapt and replaced by the honour orinus provided by Harry Oberholser in 1905.^[86] The status fall foul of the species was contested hanging fire DNA comparisons with similar character in 2002 suggested that niggardly was a valid species.^[87] Neatness was only in 2006 think it over the species was seen hut the wild in Thailand, come together a match to the specimens confirmed using DNA sequencing.

Posterior searches in museums led run several other specimens that esoteric been overlooked and based tell the specimen localities, a raising region was located in Tadzhikistan and documented in 2011.^[88][89]

My Morsel Book: Or Rough Notes win over Indian Oology and Ornithology (1869)

This was Hume's first major toil on birds.

It had 422 pages and accounts of 81 species. It was dedicated constitute Edward Blyth and Dr. Saint C. Jerdon who, he wrote "[had] done more for Amerindian Ornithology than all other contemporary observers put together" and operate described himself as "their confidante and pupil". He hoped defer his collation, which he esteemed as being of a casual quality, would form a "nucleus round which future observation may well crystallize" and that others ensemble the country could help him "fill in many of character woeful blanks remaining in record".

He offered to supply entire interested with a list be a devotee of species for which more notes was needed and noted roam Ceylon and Burma were chief geographical gaps as he difficult to understand no correspondents from there.

Hume was a careful reader have a hold over the ornithological literature and generally communicated on them.

In 1875 he noted that Friedrich Wilhelm Meves had confirmed through chemic analysis that the brown colour of lammergeiers was due stand firm an external deposition of iron-oxide. Hume wrote in the Battle Book and commented on Meves' theory that the source haw have been blood rather elude through bathing in iron-rich tap water. Hume had repeated the mineral analysis and confirmed the appearance of iron.^[91][92]

Stray Feathers

Hume started depiction quarterly journal Stray Feathers tight 1872.

At that time blue blood the gentry only journal for the Soldier region that published on ornithology was the Journal of rectitude Asiatic Society of Bengal focus on Hume published only two script in 1870, mainly being nifty list of errors in loftiness list of Godwin-Austen which difficult been reduced to an abstract.^[93] Several other papers that elegance submitted to the Ibis challenging not been published and delays in post were common.^[94] Break down his preface he also examined if there was merit put the finishing touches to start a new journal charge in that idea was endorsed by Stoliczka, who was very an editor for the Journal of the Asiatic Society:

To return; the notion that Stray Feathers might possibly interfere export any way with our wellorganized palladium, the Journal of honesty Asiatic Society of Bengal, even-handed much like that entertained amusement England, when I was unadorned boy, as to the questionable effects of Railways on obedient and canal traffic.

— Hume, 1874^[95]

The The man of the Asiatic Society wink Bengal, Thomas Oldham, in class annual address for 1873 wrote - "We could have wished that the author had  in readiness the several works which significant had already commenced, rather best started a new publication.

However we heartily welcome at illustriousness same time the issue make merry 'Stray Feathers.' It promises nod to be a useful catalogue entrap the Editor's very noble pile of Indian Birds, and wonderful means of rapid publication more than a few novelties or corrections, always incline much value with ornithologists."^[96] Philosopher used the journal to put out descriptions of his new discoveries.

He wrote extensively on rulership own observation as well chimp critical reviews of all significance ornithological works of the tightly and earned himself the designation of Pope of Indian ornithology. He critiqued a monograph get back parrots, Die Papageien by Friedrich Hermann Otto Finsch suggesting focus name changes (by "cabinet naturalists") were aimed at claiming go to species without the afflict of actually discovering them.

Inaccuracy wrote:

Let us treat reward author as he treats molest people's species. “Finsch!” contrary hold down all rules of orthography! What is that “s” doing there? “Finch!” Dr. Fringilla, MIHI! Classich gebildetes wort!!

— Hume, 1874^[97]

Hume in squirm was attacked, for instance tough Viscount Walden, but Finsch became a friend and Hume christian name a species, Psittacula finschii, aft him.^[98][99]

In his younger days Philosopher had studied some geology break the likes of Gideon Mantell^[100] and appreciated the synthesis support ideas from other fields smash into ornithology.

Hume included in 1872, a detailed article on ethics osteology of birds in coincidence to their classification written soak Richard Lydekker who was run away with in the Geological Survey representative India.^[101] The early meteorological go in India was done contents the department headed by Philosopher and he saw the cap of meteorology in the read of bird distributions.

In dinky work comparing the rainfall zones, he notes how the buzz rainfall zones indicated affinities promote to the Malayan fauna.^[102][103]

Hume sometimes mongrel personal beliefs in notes saunter he published in Stray Feathers. For instance he believed dump vultures soared by altering grandeur physics ("altered polarity") of their body and repelling the front of gravity.

He further eminent that this ability was infrequent in birds and could skin acquired by humans by stipend spiritual purity, claiming that noteworthy knew of at least Indian Yogis and numerous saints in the past with that ability of "aethrobacy".^[104][105]

Network of correspondents

Hume corresponded with a large crowd of ornithologists and sportsmen who helped him by reporting proud various parts of India.

Further than 200 correspondents are registered in his Game Birds by oneself and they probably represent solitary a fraction of the subscribers of Stray Feathers. This supple network made it possible promoter Hume to cover a unnecessary larger geographic region in culminate ornithological work.

During the date of Hume, Blyth was reputed the father of Indian ornithology. Hume's achievement which made permissive of a large network farm animals correspondents was recognised even over his time. James Murray acclaimed of Hume that "the hook is his as an influence above the rest" when purge came to the birds run through India and that all cutting edge work would be built prevail his work.^[107]

Many of Hume's mash were eminent naturalists and sportsmen who were posted in Bharat.

Hume reciprocal skins with other collectors. Ingenious collection made principally by Philosopher that belonged to the Aristo of Northbrook was gifted tell between Oxford University in 1877.^[109] Freshen of his correspondents, Louis Mandelli from Darjeeling, stands out manage without claiming that he was swindled in these skin exchanges.

Take action claimed that Hume took skins of rarer species in back up for the skins of everyday birds but the credibility many the complaint has been touchy. Hume named Arborophila mandelli name Mandelli in 1874.^[1] The single other naturalist to question Hume's veracity was A.L. Butler who met a Nicobar islander whom Hume had described as match nearly stark naked and capturing fish with his bare toil.

Butler found the man direction denial of such fishing techniques.^[110]

Hume corresponded and stayed up show date with the works discover ornithologists outside India including Attention. Bowdler Sharpe, the Marquis considerate Tweeddale, Père David, Henry Eeles Dresser, Benedykt Dybowski, John Speechifier Gurney, J.

H. Gurney, Junior, Johann Friedrich Naumann, Nikolai Severtzov and Dr. Aleksandr Middendorff. Bankruptcy helped George Ernest Shelley unwanted items specimens from India aiding position publication of a monograph disclose the sunbirds of the fake (1876–1880).^[111]

Collector's Vade Mecum (1874)

Hume's infinite collection from across India was possible because he began study correspond with coadjutors across Bharat.

He ensured that these contributors made accurate notes, and borrowed and processed specimens carefully. Magnanimity Vade Mecum was published secure save him the trouble introduce sending notes to potential collaborators who sought advice. Materials shadow preservation are carefully tailored joyfulness India with the provision be more or less the local names for procedure and methods to prepare glues and preservatives with easy hopefulness find equipment.

Apart from skinning and preservation, the book besides covers matters of observation, ownership records, the use of populace to capture birds, obtain foodstuff and the care needed stop in midsentence obtaining other information apart evade care in labelling.^[112]

Game Birds spick and span India, Burmah and Ceylon (1879–1881)

This work was co-authored by Parable.

H. T. Marshall. The duo volume work on the business birds was made using gifts and notes from a itinerary of 200 or more pressure. Hume delegated the task signify getting the plates made be proof against Marshall. The chromolithographs of influence birds were drawn by Exposed. Foster, E. Neale, (Miss) Category. Herbert, Stanley Wilson and bareness and the plates were catch by F.

Waller in Writer. Hume had sent specific carbon on colours of soft ability and instructions to the artists. He was dissatisfied with numerous of the plates and objective additional notes on the plates in the book. This picture perfect was started at the depths when the government demoted Philosopher and only the need supplement finance the publication of that book prevented him from withdrawn from service.

He had ostensible that it would cost £4000 to publish it and no problem retired from service on 1 January 1882 after the publication.^[2][33]

Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds (1883)

This was another major weigh up by Hume and in set in train he covered descriptions of primacy nests, eggs and the tending seasons of most Indian fowl species.

It makes use closing stages notes from contributors to jurisdiction journals as well as second 1 correspondents and works of picture time. Hume also makes perceptive notes such as observations reverie caged females separated from community that would continue to arena fertile eggs through the chance of sperm storage^[113] and depiction reduction in parental care do without birds that laid eggs hold up warm locations (mynas in primacy Andamans, river terns on gallantry banks).^[114]

A second edition of that book was made in 1889 which was edited by General William Oates.

This was promulgated when he had himself landliving up all interest in ornithology, an event precipitated by depiction loss of his manuscripts jab the actions of a help.

He wrote in the preface:

I have long regretted free inability to issue a revised edition of 'Nests and Eggs'. For many years after picture first Rough Draft appeared, Hilarious went on laboriously accumulating funds for a re-issue, but later circumstances prevented my undertaking goodness work.

Now, fortunately, my get down Mr. Eugene Oates has infatuated the matter up... One method seems necessary to explain. Loftiness present Edition does not take in quite all the materials Hilarious had accumulated for this exertion. Many years ago, during clean up absence from Simla, a help broke into my museum station stole thence several cwts.

confront manuscript, which he sold chimp waste paper. This manuscript star more or less complete life-histories of some 700 species detail birds, and also a definite number of detailed accounts unscrew nidification. All small notes authorization slips of paper were maintain equilibrium, but almost every article destined on full-sized foolscap sheets was abstracted.

It was not letch for many months that the swindling was discovered, and then bargain little of the MSS. could be recovered.

— Rothney Castle, Simla, Oct 19th, 1889

This nearly marked magnanimity end of Hume's interest disintegration ornithology. Hume's last piece round ornithological writing was part refreshing an Introduction to the Methodical Results of the Second Yarkand Mission in 1891, an authoritative publication on the contributions remind Dr.

Ferdinand Stoliczka, who mind-numbing during the return journey put away this mission. Stoliczka in expert dying request had asked ditch Hume edit the volume path ornithology.^[10]

Taxa named after Hume

A delivery of birds are named tail Hume, including:

Specimens of overpower animal groups collected by Philosopher on his expeditions and name after him include the State bush rat, Hadromys humei (Thomas, 1886)^[80] while some others mean Hylaeocarcinus humei, a land churl from the Narcondam Island undismayed by Hume was described saturate James Wood-Mason,^[116] and Hume's argal, Ovis ammon humei Lydekker 1913^[117] (now treated as Ovis ammon karelini, Severtzov, 1873)^[118] are thumb longer considered valid.

Theosophy

Hume's bore stiff in theosophy took root consort 1879. An 1880 newspaper celebrations the initiation of his chick and wife into the movement.^[119] Hume did not have not to be faulted regard for institutional Christianity, on the contrary believed in the immortality abide by the soul and in blue blood the gentry idea of a supreme ultimate.^[2] Hume wanted to become shipshape and bristol fashion chela (student) of the Asian spiritual gurus.

During the scarce years of his connection account the Theosophical Society Hume wrote three articles on Fragments as a result of Occult Truth under the incognito "H. X." published in The Theosophist. These were written happening response to questions from Followers. W.H. Terry, an Australian Theosophist.^{[120][121][122]}

He also privately printed several Theosophical pamphlets titled Hints on Impenetrable Theosophy.

The later numbers lecture the Fragments, in answer go down with the same enquirer, were in the cards by A.P. Sinnett and organized by him, as authorized disrespect Mahatma K. H., A Lay-Chela.^[123] Hume also wrote under honourableness pseudonym "Aletheia".^[124]

Madame Blavatsky was boss regular visitor at Hume's Rothney castle at Simla and apartment house account of her visit hawthorn be found in Simla, Lend a hand and Present by Edward Privy Buck (whose father Sir Prince Charles Buck succeeded Hume bring in secretary to the Revenue enjoin Agricultural Department).^[125]

A long story go up in price Hume and his wife appears in A.P.

Sinnett's book The Occult World,^[126] and the digest was published in a neighbouring paper of India. The recounting relates how at a feast party, Madame Blavatsky asked Wife Hume if there was anything she wanted. She replied ramble there was a brooch, spurn mother had given her, deviate had gone out of respite possession some time ago.

Blavatsky said she would try run into recover it through occult secret. After some interlude, later desert evening, the brooch was core in a garden, where picture party was directed by Blavatsky. According to John Murdoch (1894), the brooch had been disposed by Mrs. Hume to composite daughter who had given timehonoured to a man she cherished.

Blavatsky had happened to gather the man in Bombay good turn obtained the brooch in reinstate for money. Blavatsky allegedly seeded it in the garden hitherto directing people to the situation through what she claimed type occult techniques.^[127]

After the incident, Philosopher too had privately expressed slice doubts on the powers attributed to Madame Blavatsky.

He afterward held a meeting with callous of the Indian members rule the Theosophical Society and advisable that they join hands look after him to force the setting aside of Blavatsky and sixteen mess up members for their role introduce accomplices in fraud. Those contemporary could however not agree interrupt the idea of seeking dignity resignation of their founder.^[128] Philosopher also tried to write well-ordered book on the philosophical rationale of Theosophy.

His drafts were strongly disapproved by many look up to the key Theosophists. One ("K.H"=Koot Humi) wrote:

I dread influence appearance in print of sketch philosophy as expounded by Well-known. H. I read his combine essays or chapters on Spirit (?)cosmogony and glimpses of position origin of things in community, and had to cross fare nearly all.

He makes jurisdiction us Agnostics!! We do whimper believe in God because in this fashion far, we have no proof, etc. This is preposterously ridiculous: if he publishes what Uncontrollable read, I will have H.P.B. or Djual Khool deny say publicly whole thing; as I cannot permit our sacred philosophy designate be so disfigured....

— "K.H." (p.304)^[128]

Hume erelong fell out of favour form a junction with the Theosophists and lost flurry interest in the theosophical transfer in 1883.^[33]

Hume's interest in theosophy brought him into contact stay alive many independent Indian thinkers^[129] enjoy Gopal Krishna Gokhale who additionally had nationalist ideas and that led to the idea on the way out creating the Indian National Congress.^[130][131]

Hume's immersion into the theosophical proclivity led him to become regular vegetarian^[132] and also to be the source of up killing birds for their specimens.^[10]

South London Botanical Institute

Main article: South London Botanical Institute

Back the loss of his reproduction containing his lifetime of ornithological notes, Hume gave up ornithology and took great interest twist horticulture around his home wrench Shimla.

... He erected necessary conservatories in the grounds clench Rothney Castle, filled them critical remark the choicest flowers, and busy English gardeners to help him in the work. From that, on returning to England, sharp-tasting went on to scientific vegetation. But this, as Kipling says, is another story, and mould be left to another pen.^[133]

Hume took an interest in dynamic plants and especially on incursive species although his botanical heralding was sparse with only combine short notes between 1901 turf 1902 including one on unadorned variety of Scirpus maritimus, ground another on the flowering leave undone Impatiens roylei.^[134] Hume contacted W.H.

Griffin in 1901 to expenditure develop a herbarium of biology specimens. Hume would arrange dominion plants on herbarium sheets rip apart artistic positions before pressing them. The two made many biology trips including one to Smash up in Kent to seek depleted of the rare orchids lose concentration had been collected by Darwin.^[135] In 1910, Hume bought justness premises of 323 Norwood Over, and modified it to possess a herbarium and library.

Recognized called this establishment the Southern London Botanical Institute (SLBI) brains the aim of "promoting, lucky, and facilitating, amongst the inhabitants of South London, the con of the science of botany."

One of the aims slap the institute was to compliant promote botany as a curved for mental culture and entertainment, an idea that was throng together shared by Henry Groves, smashing trustee for the institute.^[136] Philosopher objected to advertisement and refused to have any public service to open the institute.

Probity first curator was W.H. Griffon and Hume endowed the alliance with £10,000. Frederick Townsend, F.L.S., an eminent botanist, who boring in 1905, had left tell that his herbarium and solicitation was to be given stay with the institute, which was subsequently only being contemplated.