Biographical Memoir of James Dinwiddie, L.L.D., Astronomer in the British Embassy to China, 1792, '3, '4,
Afterwards Professor of Natural Philosophy in the College of Fort William, Bengal

An account from 1868 of the life of a polymath which will fascinate and entertain a modern-day readership.

William Jardine Proudfoot (Author)

9781108013796, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 June 2010

152 pages
21.6 x 14 x 0.9 cm, 0.2 kg

This is an account of the career of James Dinwiddie (1746–1815). First published in 1868 by Dinwiddie's grandson William Jardine Proudfoot, the work is based on Dinwiddie's own autobiographical notes, travel logbook and personal correspondence. The biography traces Dinwiddie's career from the scientific lectures he gave from 1781 and the journal series Queries and Hints, which he began in 1779, to his visit to the Chinese imperial court as official astronomer in Lord Macartney's mission (1792–1794); his residence in Beijing and Canton; and his move to India, where he was appointed Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry at the College of Fort William, Bengal. Dinwiddie's career was marked by passionate commitment to the dissemination of scientific knowledge – his travels, lectures and publications were undertaken for this cause. His life is a fascinating account of a polymathic mind which will fascinate and entertain a modern-day readership.

Foreword
1. Birth, early life, and a teacher of youth
2. Career as a public lecturer on natural philosophy
3. Appointment in the British Embassy to China
4. Residence at Pekin
5. Departure from Pekin and journey to Canton
6. Residence in Canton
7. Termination of the Embassy
8. Residence in India, and appointment as professor of natural philosophy in the College of Fort William
9. Return to England
Letters.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]