b. 2 May 1769. d. 30 May 1833. Nationality: Scottish. VIAF.
Poet, historian, diplomat, and administrator in India. Born in Burnfoot, Westerkirk,
Dumfriesshire. Started working for the East India Company at the age of 12 and began
his career as a solider, arriving in India at the age of 14 in 1783. Appointed an
envoy to Persia in 1799. Returned to India and assisted with peace treaty negotiations
after several conflicts and reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Married (Isabella)
Charlotte Campbell on 4 July 1807. Fought in the Third Anglo-Maratha War and was made
major-general. Received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Bath. Governor of Bombay
(1827-1831). Returned to England and became MP for Launceston (1831). Author of several
books about India and Persia. Biographical information: *ODNB*. (CC)