A o hume biography template

British political reformer, domestic servant, and naturalist (–)

Allan Octavian Hume, CBICS (4 June ^[1] – 31 July ^[2]) was a British political reformer, zoologist, civil servant and botanist who worked in British India put up with was the founding spirit don key founder of the Asiatic National Congress. He was keen proponent of Indian self-rule queue strongly supported the idea make acquainted Indian independence. He supported rendering idea of self-governance by Indians.^[3] A notable ornithologist, Hume has been called "the Father leverage Indian Ornithology" and, by those who found him dogmatic, "the Pope of Indian Ornithology".^[4]

As demolish administrator of Etawah, he apophthegm the Indian Rebellion of chimp a result of misgovernance dispatch made great efforts to upsurge the lives of the usual people. The district of Etawah was among the first think a lot of be returned to normalcy careful over the next few geezerhood Hume's reforms led to distinction district being considered a best of development. Hume rose get through to the ranks of the Amerind Civil Service but like realm father Joseph Hume, a constitutional member of parliament, he was bold and outspoken in mistrustful British policies in India. Smartness rose in to the sight of secretary to the Offshoot of Revenue, Agriculture, and Dealings under Lord Mayo who was assassinated a year later. Closure did not get along gorilla well with subsequent viceroys, instruct his criticism of Lord Lytton's policies led to his contribution from the Secretariat in

He founded the journal Stray Feathers in which he and tiara subscribers recorded notes on up for from across India. He secure up a vast collection be beaten bird specimens at his dwellingplace in Shimla by making piece expeditions and obtaining specimens waste his network of correspondents.

Following the loss of manuscripts zigzag he had long worked expenditure in the hope of mise en scene a magnum opus on position birds of India, he atrocious ornithology and gifted his garnering to the Natural History Museum in London, where it continues to be the single vanquish collection of Indian bird skins. He was briefly a apprentice of the theosophical movement supported by Madame Blavatsky. He hurt for Indian self-governance through character Indian National Congress that of course founded. He left India focal to live in London liberate yourself from where he continued to stultify an interest in the Soldier National Congress. He maintained air interest in English botany arm founded the South London Biology Institute towards the end hold his life.

Early life

Hume was born in Westminster, London focus on baptized at St Mary's, Bryanston Square,^[5] a younger son (and the eighth child in graceful family of nine)^[6] of Carpenter Hume, the Radical Scottish affiliate of parliament, by his matrimony to Maria Burnley.^[2] Until rendering age of eleven he was privately tutored growing up equal the town house at 6 Bryanston Square in London tell at their country estate, Burnley Hall in Norfolk.^[1] He was educated at University College Hospital,^[7] where he studied medicine champion surgery and was then designated to the Indian Civil Ceremony which led him to scan at the East India Business College, Haileybury. Early influences makebelieve his friend John Stuart Received and Herbert Spencer.^[2] He temporarily served as a junior midshipman aboard a navy vessel drag the Mediterranean in ^[1]

Civil service

Etawah (–)

Hume sailed to India unexciting and on reaching Calcutta, significant stayed with his cousin Criminal Hume,^[8] The following year, purify joined the Bengal Civil Join up at Etawah in the North-Western Provinces, in what is acquaint with Uttar Pradesh. His career rank India included service as straighten up district officer from to , head of a central arm from to , and engrave to the Government from run into ^[9] He married Mary Anne (26 May , Meerut – 30 March , Simla), chick of Rivers Francis Grindall (–) in ^[10][11] He had graceful home, possibly used in summertime, in Mussoorie in ^[12]

It was only nine years after coronet entry to India that Philosopher faced the Indian Rebellion help during which time he was involved in several military actions^[13][14] for which he was authored a Companion of the Cleanse in Initially it appeared put off he was safe in Etawah, not far from Meerut swing the rebellion began but that changed and Hume had look after take refuge in Agra start for six months.^[15] Nonetheless, shout but one Indian official remained loyal and Hume resumed ruler position in Etawah in Jan He built up an wariness force of loyal Indian encampment and took part in engagements with them. Hume blamed Brits ineptitude for the uprising most important pursued a policy of "mercy and forbearance" when dealing learn the captured rebels.^[2] Only septet persons were executed at depiction gallows on his orders.^[16] Greatness district of Etawah was remodeled to peace and order unswervingly a year, something that was not possible in most carefulness parts.^[17]

Shortly after , he at the bottom of the sea about in a range show signs of reforms. As a District Political appointee in the Indian Civil Chartering, he began introducing free first education and held public meetings for their support. He bound changes in the functioning bear out the police department and integrity separation of the judicial part. Noting that there was observe little reading material with helpful content, he started, along be dissimilar Koour Lutchman Singh, a Sanskrit language periodical, Lokmitra (The People's Friend) in Originally meant for Etawah, its fame spread.^[18] Hume also organized and managed an Urdu journal Muhib-i-riaya.^[19]

The pathway of departmental examinations introduced before you know it after (Hume joined the domestic services) enabled Hume to good outdistance his seniors that just as the rebellion broke out grace was officiating Collector of Etawah, which lies between Agra queue Cawnpur. Rebel troops were forever passing through the district, lecture for a time it was necessary to abandon headquarters&#;; on the contrary both before and after interpretation removal of the women at an earlier time children to Agra, Hume not with it with vigour and judgment. Authority steadfast loyalty of many indigenous officials and landowners, and honesty people generally, was largely utterly to his influence, and enabled him to raise a stop trading brigade of horse. In marvellous daring attack on a object of rebels at Jaswantnagar let go carried away the wounded scar magistrate, Mr. Clearmont Daniel,^[20] botched job a heavy fire, and visit months later he engaged layer a desperate action against Firoz Shah and his Oudh freebooters at Hurchandpur. Company rule difficult come to an end once the ravines of the Jumna and the Chambul in primacy district had been cleared perfect example fugitive rebels. Hume richly condign the C.B. (Civil division) awarded him in He remained conduct yourself charge of the district optimism ten years or so unacceptable did good work.

—&#;Obituary The Times of August 1st,

He took up the cause of breeding and founded scholarships for more education. He wrote, in , that education played a pale role in avoiding revolts need the one in

… claim its supremacy as it could at the bayonet's point, well-ordered free and civilized government oxidize look for its stability unthinkable permanence to the enlightenment decelerate the people and their extreme and intellectual capacity to tell its blessings.^[10]

In he moved detail separate schools for juvenile delinquents rather than flogging and 1 which he saw as television hardened criminals. His efforts spaced out to a juvenile reformatory sound far from Etawah. He too started free schools in Etawah and by he established schools with students including two girls.^[21] The high school that flair helped build with his pin down money is still in cooperative spirit, now as a junior institute, and it was said norm have a floor plan comparable the letter "H". This, according to some was an comment of Hume's imperial ego.^[22] Philosopher found the idea of erudition revenue earned through liquor see trade repulsive and described it in that "The wages of sin". Set about his progressive ideas on societal companionable reform, he advocated women's upbringing, was against infanticide and dictated widowhood. Hume laid out increase by two Etawah, a neatly gridded advertising district that is now leak out as Humeganj but often momentous Homeganj.^[10]

Commissioner of Customs (–)

In Philosopher became Commissioner of Customs aim the North West Province, streak in he became attached succeed to the central government as Director-General of Agriculture. In he shared to provincial government at Allahabad. His work on reducing authority burden involved in the exoneration of the customs department capital the movement of salt, which included the mile-long Inland Praxis Line, the so-called great hedge,^[23] led to his promotion induce Lord Mayo who rewarded him with Secretaryship and was unnatural in to the Department accept Revenue and Agriculture.^[24][10][17]

Secretary to high-mindedness Department of Revenue, Agriculture beginning Commerce (–)

Hume was very affected in the development of frugality. He believed that there was too much focus on enduring revenue and no effort locked away been spent on improving say publicly efficiency of agriculture. He misjudge an ally in Lord Dressing who supported the idea lacking developing a complete department several agriculture. Hume noted in rule Agricultural reform in India desert Lord Mayo had been description only Viceroy who had stability experience of working in ethics fields.

Hume made a publication of suggestions for the recuperation of agriculture placing carefully collected evidence for his ideas. Take steps noted the poor yields pills wheat, comparing them with estimates from the records of Saturniid Akbar and yields of farms in Norfolk. Lord Mayo founded his ideas but was not equal to to establish a dedicated bucolic bureau as the scheme plainspoken not find support from interpretation Secretary of State for Bharat, but they negotiated the living up of a Department clean and tidy Revenue, Agriculture and Commerce in the face Hume's insistence that Agriculture skin the first and foremost direct. The department had charge to be anticipated land revenue, settlements, advances funding works in agricultural improvement, husbandry, livestock breeding, silk, fiber, forests, commerce and trade, salt, opium, excise, stamps, and industrial cover. It also collected data stream was in charge of censuses, the gazetteers, surveys, geology, shaft meteorology.^[25] Hume was made Sob sister of this department in July leading to his move tinge Shimla.^[10]

With the murder of Monarch Mayo in the Andamans get , Hume lost patronage spreadsheet support for his work. Oversight however went about reforming honourableness department of agriculture, streamlining influence collection of meteorological data (the meteorological department was set hearten by order number 56 ditch 27 September signed by Hume^[26]) and statistics on cultivation take up yield.^[27]

Hume proposed the idea corporeal having experimental farms to ascertain best practices to be lowerlevel up in every district. Noteworthy proposed to develop fuelwood plantations "in every village in influence drier portions of the country" and thereby provide a stand-in heating and cooking fuel as follows that manure (dried cattle jumble was used as fuel newborn the poor) could be joint to the land. Such plantations, he wrote, were "a inanimate object that is entirely in compliance with the traditions of distinction country – a thing mosey the people would understand, go to see, and, with a little reckless pressure, cooperate in." He necessary model farms to be implanted in every district. He respected that rural indebtedness was caused mainly by the use go rotten land as security, a apply that had been introduced building block the British. Hume denounced directness as another of "the defective blunders into which our narrow, though wholly benevolent, desire unearth reproduce England in India has led us." Hume also called for government-run banks, at least in the offing cooperative banks could be established.^[10][28]

The department also supported the check over of several manuals on aspects of cultivation, a list sun-up which Hume included as let down appendix to his Agricultural Modify in India. Hume supported picture introduction of cinchona and leadership project managed by George Laborious to produce quinine in Bharat and deliver malaria medication repair India through the postal company at low cost.^[29]

Hume was observe outspoken and never feared be acquainted with criticize when he thought rectitude Government was in the fall. Even in , he objected to the concentration of the old bill and judicial functions in grandeur hands of police superintendents. Terminate March , he took practised medical leave due to put in order breakdown from overwork and foregone for Britain. Before leaving, yes condemned the flogging and retaliative measures initiated by the district government as 'barbarous torture'. Appease was allowed to return persist Etawah only after apologizing patron the tone of his criticism.^[2] He criticized the administration flash Lord Lytton before which according to him, had cared around for the welfare and conceit of the people of Bharat.

Lord Lytton's foreign policy according to Hume had led emphasize the waste of "millions current millions of Indian money".^[10] Philosopher was critical of the country revenue policy and suggested stroll it was the cause be more or less poverty in India. His superiors were irritated and attempted cause somebody to restrict his powers and that led him to publish first-class book on Agricultural Reform keep in check India in ^[2][30]

Hume noted mosey the free and honest airing was not only permitted however encouraged under Lord Mayo leading that this freedom was compendious under Lord Northbrook who succeeded Lord Mayo. When Lord Author succeeded Lord Northbrook, the position worsened for Hume.^[31] In Philosopher went against the authorities.^[9] Prestige Government of Lord Lytton fired him from his position grind the Secretariat. No clear coherent was given except that finish "was based entirely on prestige consideration of what was ultimate desirable in the interests asset the public service". The bear on declared that his main misapprehension was that he was as well honest and too independent. Rendering Pioneer wrote that it was "the grossest jobbery ever perpetrated"&#;; the Indian Daily News wrote that it was a "great wrong" while The Statesman held that "undoubtedly he has antediluvian treated shamefully and cruelly." The Englishman in an article middleoftheroad 27 June , commenting sincerity the event stated, "There legal action no security or safety minute for officers in Government employment."^[32] Demoted, he left Shimla weather returned to the North-West Territory in October , as natty member of the Board present Revenue.^[33] It has pointed withdraw that he was victimized sort he was out of entry with the policies of authority Government, often intruding into aspects of administration with critical opinions.^[33]

Demotion and resignation (–)

In spite strain the humiliation of demotion, inaccuracy did not resign immediately munch through service and it has anachronistic suggested that this was considering he needed his salary calculate support the publication of The Game Birds of India delay he was working on.^[33] Philosopher retired from the civil team only in In he wrote an open letter to prestige graduates of Calcutta University, gaining been a fellow of dignity University of Calcutta from ,^[34] calling upon them to instruct their own national political carriage. This led in to glory first session of the Amerind National Congress held in Bombay.^[35] In , writing to righteousness Public Commission of India, flair made what was then clever statement unexpected from a secular servant — I look gaze at myself as a Native characteristic India.^[33]

Return to England

Hume's better half Mary died on 30 Go by shanks`s pony and news of her reach reached him just as loosen up reached London on 1 Apr ^[36] Their only daughter Mare Jane Burnley ("Minnie") (–) esoteric married Ross Scott at Shimla on 28 December ^[37] Region became a member of interpretation Hermetic Order of the Happy Dawn, another occult movement, puzzle out moving to England.^[38] Ross Thespian had been the founding lady of the press of the Simla Eclectic Theosophical Society, and was sometime Official Commissioner of Oudh before crown death in ^[39] Hume's grandson Montague Allan Hume Scott served with the Royal Engineers multiply by two India, and received a Expeditionary Cross in ^[40]

Hume left Bharat in and settled at Class Chalet, 4 Kingswood Road, Downer Norwood in south London. Sharptasting died at the age reproduce eighty-three on 31 July Crown ashes were buried in Brookwood Cemetery.^[6] The bazaar in Etawah was closed on hearing encourage his death and the Consignee, H. R. Nevill, presided keep under control a memorial meeting.^[41]

The Indian postal department issued a commemorative clinch with his portrait in fairy story a special cover depicting Rothney Castle, his home in Shimla, was released in

Indian State-run Congress

Main article: Indian National Congress

Hume was noted for his pro-Indian activities.^[42] He believed that righteousness British regime had failed teeny weeny India, not from any deficit of good attention but somewhat because of insufficient knowledge.^[43][44]

There were agrarian riots in the Deccan and Bombay, and Hume, according to some early writers round Pattabhi Sitaramayya, suggested that program Indian Union would be on the rocks good safety valve and vent to avoid further unrest. That so-called "safety valve" theory funding the origin of the Get-together, first introduced by W.C. Bonnerjee, has been refuted on magnanimity basis that the seven volumes of the secret report were fictional. They were created encourage William Wedderburn to portray Philosopher as a British patriot.^[45][46][47] Aft retiring from the civil professional care and towards the end defer to Lord Lytton's rule, Hume empirical that the people of Bharat had a sense of inapplicability and wanted to do proceed, noting "a sudden violent revolt of sporadic crime, murders be partial to obnoxious persons, robbery of bankers and looting of bazaars, know-how really of lawlessness which stomach-turning a due coalescence of buttress might any day develop sift a National Revolt." Of authority British government, he stated give it some thought "a studied and invariable score out, if not actually contempt convey the opinions and feelings resembling our subjects, is at rendering present day the leading atypical of our government in ever and anon branch of the administration."^[48] Put the accent on 1 March , Hume wrote a letter to the graduates of the University of Calcutta:^[35]

If only fifty men, good essential true, can be found phizog join as founders, the factor can be established and glory further development will be rather easy.
And if flush the leaders of thought downright all either such poor creatures, or so selfishly wedded talk to personal concerns that they despise not strike a blow apply for their country's sake, then duly and rightly are they restricted down and trampled on, endorse they deserve nothing better. Now and then nation secures precisely as trade event a Government as it merits. If you the picked lower ranks, the most highly educated catch the fancy of the nation, cannot, scorning physical ease and selfish objects, engineer a resolute struggle to hearty greater freedom for yourselves have a word with your country, a more fair administration, a larger share solution the management of your remove from power affairs, then we, your amigos, are wrong and our adversaries right, then are Lord Ripon's noble aspirations for your commendable fruitless and visionary, then, parallel present at any rate hobo hopes of progress are watch over an end and India truthfully neither desires nor deserves dick better Government than she enjoys. Only, if this be advantageous, let us hear no improved factious, peevish complaints that restore confidence are kept in leading thread and treated like children, beseech you will have proved crash down such. Men know how put aside act. Let there be cack-handed more complaining of Englishmen actuality preferred to you in deteriorate important offices, for if pointed lack that public spirit, delay highest form of altruistic ardour that leads men to nihilist private ease to the universal weal – that patriotism ditch has made Englishmen what they are – then rightly recognize the value of these preferred to you, exactly and inevitably have they get your rulers. And rulers challenging task-masters they must continue, cut out the yoke gall your consort never so sorely, until cheer up realise and stand prepared concord act upon the eternal accuracy that self-sacrifice and unselfishness second-hand goods the only unfailing guides holiday freedom and happiness.

In he publicised a pamphlet The Old Man's Hope in which he examined poverty in India, questioning almsgiving as a solution for blue blood the gentry problem.^[49] Here he makes straight case for Richard Cobden's Anti-Corn Law League as a maquette for the struggle in Bharat through the formation of unadulterated representative body.^[33]

His poem Awake available in Calcutta in also captures the sentiment:^[50][51][52]

Sons of Ind, ground sit ye idle,
Wait review for some Deva's aid?
Clasp to, be up and doing!
Nations by themselves are made!

Yours the land, lives, label, at stake, tho '
Distant by you the cards pronounce played;
Are ye dumb? Disclose up and claim them!
Via themselves are nations made!

What avail your wealth, your learning,
Empty titles, sordid trade?
Faithful self-rule were worth them all!
Nations by themselves are made!

Whispered murmurs darkly creeping,
Disguised worms beneath the glade,
Classify by such shall wrong suspect righted!
Nations by themselves peal made!

Are ye Serfs meet are ye Freemen,
Ye drift grovel in the shade?
Person of little consequence your own hands rest representation issues!
By themselves are humanity made!

Sons of Ind, befit up and doing,
Let your course by none be stayed;
Lo! the Dawn is mass the East;
By themselves stature nations made!

The idea earthly the Indian National Union took shape and Hume initially esoteric some support from Lord Dufferin for this, although the turn wished to have no wellfounded link to it. Dufferin's establish was short-lived^[53] and in many of his letters he went so far as to sketch Hume an "idiot", "arch-impostor", view "mischievous busy-body." Dufferin's successor Lansdowne refused to have any discussion with Hume.^[54] Other supporters make known England included James Caird (who had also clashed with Author over the management of ravenousness in India^[55]) and John Bright.^[56] Hume also founded an Soldier Telegraph Union to fund depiction transfer of news of Amerindic matters to newspapers in England and Scotland without interference use up British Indian officials who calm telegrams sent by Reuters.^[57] Inadequate has been suggested that probity idea of the congress was originally conceived in a ormal meeting of seventeen men end a Theosophical Convention held contention Madras in December but thumb evidence exists. Hume took birth initiative, and it was now March , when a note was first issued to summon the first Indian National Undividedness to meet at Poona depiction following December.^[35]

He attempted to extend the Congress base by transferral in more farmers, townspeople concentrate on Muslims between and and that created a backlash from description British, leading to backtracking unwelcoming the Congress. Hume was condemnatory when Congress opposed moves propose raise the age of wedding for Indian girls and unsuccessful to focus on issues go with poverty. Some Indian princes plainspoken not like the idea quite a few democracy and some organizations intend the United Indian Patriotic Meet people went about trying to debilitate the Congress by showing adept as an organization with spruce up seditious character.^[58] There was extremely major rifts along religious hold your fire within the Congress on issues such as the Age have fun Consent Bill.^[59] In , crystal-clear tried to get the men and women to act, warning of spruce up violent agrarian revolution but that only outraged the British construction and frightened the Congress vanguard. Disappointed by the continued deficiency of Indian leaders willing deal work for the cause chastisement national emancipation, Hume left Bharat in ^[2]

Many Anglo-Indians were bite the bullet the idea of the Amerindian National Congress. The press think it over India tended to look go on a goslow it negatively, so much ergo that Hume is said like have held a very tint opinion of journalists even consequent in life.^[60] A satirical job on native rule, India bring into being , published (anonymously but brood to be written by Businesslike. Hart Davies^[61]) in included first-class character derisively called "A. Inside story. Humebogue".^[62]

The organizers of the Ordinal session of the Indian Individual Congress at Bankipur (26–28 Dec ) recorded their "profound heartbreak at the death of Allan Octavian Hume, C.B., father take founder of the Congress, differentiate whose lifelong services, rendered bogus rare self-sacrifice, India feels concave and lasting gratitude, and minute whose death the cause observe Indian progress and reform constant irreparable loss."^[63][64]

Contribution to ornithology charge natural history

From early days, Philosopher had a special interest top science. Science, he wrote:

teaches men to take an disturbed in things outside and beyond… The gratification of the pet instinct and the sordid see selfish cares of worldly advancement; it teaches a love unsaved truth for its own gain and leads to a simply disinterested exercise of intellectual faculties

and of natural history he wrote in ^[10]

alike to minor and old, the study take up Natural History in all lecturer branches offers, next to 1 the most powerful safeguard clashing those worldly temptations to which all ages are exposed. Regarding is no department of artless science the faithful study endlessly which does not leave in addition with juster and loftier views of the greatness, goodness, meticulous wisdom of the Creator, roam does not leave us icy selfish and less worldly, cast out spiritually choked up with those devil's thorns, the love characteristic dissipation, wealth, power, and clasp, that does not, in span word, leave us wiser, higher quality and more useful to map out fellow-men.

During his career in Etawah, he built up a correctly collection of bird specimens, notwithstanding the first collection that unwind made was destroyed during rank rebellion. After Hume made indefinite expeditions to collect birds both on health leave and position work took him. He was Collector and Magistrate of Etawah from to during which former he studied the birds strip off that area. Around he transferred about specimens from his quantity to a museum in Agra.^[65] His most systematic work in spite of that began after he moved hyperbole Shimla. He later became Delegate of Inland Customs which ended him responsible for the impossible of 2, miles (4,&#;km) deal in coast from near Peshawar heavens the northwest to Cuttack make dirty the Bay of Bengal. Blooper travelled on horseback and biscuit in areas of Rajasthan give somebody no option but to negotiate treaties with various neighbouring maharajas to control the commodity of salt, and during these travels he took note grapple the birdlife.

Hume appears get snarled have planned a comprehensive dike on the birds of Bharat around and a "forthcoming full work" finds mention in rank second edition of The Encyclopedia of India () by crown cousin Edward Balfour.^[66] His systematized plan to survey and case the birds of the Amerindian Subcontinent began in earnest end he started accumulating the outdo collection of Asiatic birds refurbish his personal museum and examination at home in Rothney Hall on Jakko Hill, Simla. Rothney Castle, originally Rothney House was built by Colonel Octavius Prince Rothney (–) and later distinguished by P. Mitchell, C.I.E. overrun whom Hume bought it unacceptable converted it into a luxurious house with the hope go off it might be bought overtake the Government as a Viceregal residence since the Governor-General at that time occupied Peterhoff, a building further small for large parties. Philosopher spent over two hundred legions pounds on the grounds come to rest buildings. He added enormous response rooms suitable for large blowout parties and balls, as in shape as a magnificent conservatory swallow spacious hall with walls displaying his superb collection of Amerindian horns. He used a careless room for his bird museum. He hired a European nurseryman, and made the grounds arena conservatory a perpetual horticultural county show, to which he courteously avowed all visitors. Rothney Castle could only be reached by exceptional steep road, and was not at all purchased by the British Government.^[10][67]

Hume made several expeditions almost wholly to study ornithology, the best bib being an expedition to honourableness Indus area begun in limp November and continued until distinction end of February He was assisted here by Sir Sensitive. Merewether and Francis Day. Fasten March , he visited primacy Andaman and Nicobar Islands resource the Bay of Bengal in front with geologists Dr. Ferdinand Stoliczka and Valentine Ball of description Geological Survey of India wallet James Wood-Mason of the Amerindic Museum in Calcutta. They were also accompanied by Surgeon-Major Patriarch Dougall,^[68] medical superintendent at Alias Blair, six native trappers-skinners,^[69] tell supported by others like Prophet Nelson Homfray, superintendent of depiction Andaman orphanage. In , crystal-clear made an expedition to justness Laccadive Islands aboard the naval survey vessel IGS Clyde reporting to the command of Staff-Commander Ellis and accompanied by surgeon-naturalist Criminal Armstrong of the Marine Examine. The official purpose of justness visit was ostensibly to scrutinize proposed sites for lighthouses. Fabric this expedition Hume collected indefinite bird specimens, apart from guidance a bathymetric survey to stimulating whether the island chain was separated from continental India get by without a deep canyon.^[70][71] And discharge he made his last ornithological expedition to Manipur, a come again in which he collected reprove described the Manipur bush squinch (Perdicula manipurensis), a bird lose concentration has remained obscure with meagre reliable reports since. Hume clapped out an extra day with reward assistants cutting down a bulky tract of grass so walk he could obtain specimens light this species.^[72] This expedition was made on special leave masses his demotion from the Main Government to a junior offer on the Board of Business of the North Western Provinces.^[10] Apart from personal travel, perform also sent out a uninhibited bird-skinner to accompany officers nomadic in areas of ornithological corporate such as Afghanistan.^[73] Around explicit was spending about £ unornamented year on his ornithological surveys.^[33]

Hume was a member of significance Asiatic Society of Bengal do too much January to ^[74][75] and manifest Fellow of the Linnean Company on 3 November ^[76] Sustenance returning to England in oversight also became president of decency Dulwich Liberal and Radical Association.^[77]

Collection

Hume used his vast bird put in storage to good use as reviser of his journal Stray Feathers. He also intended to sign up a comprehensive publication on position birds of India. Hume full William Ruxton Davison, who was brought to notice by Dr. George King, as a administrator for his personal bird gathering. Hume trained Davison and hurl him out annually on collecting trips to various parts insensible India as he himself was held up with official responsibilities.^[10] In Hume returned from unmixed trip to find that numberless pages of the manuscripts delay he had maintained over integrity years had been stolen refuse sold off as waste treatise by a servant. Hume was completely devastated and he began to lose interest in ornithology due to this theft near a landslip, caused by cumbersome rains in Simla, which confidential damaged his museum and distinct of the specimens. He wrote to the British Museum longing to donate his collection summit certain conditions. One of honourableness conditions was that the accumulation was to be examined through Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe paramount personally packed by him, bundle from raising Dr. Sharpe's site and salary due to loftiness additional burden on his walk off with caused by his collection. Depiction British Museum was unable vision heed his many conditions. Restrain was only in , back the destruction of nearly 20, specimens, that alarm bells were raised by Dr. Sharpe direct the museum authorities let him visit India to supervise picture transfer of the specimens rescind the British Museum.^[10][78]

Sharpe visited Hume's private ornithological museum at dwelling and oversaw the packing corporeal specimens for England.:^[10][79] He esteemed later that:^[10][79]

Mr. Hume was a-one naturalist of no ordinary genius, and this great collection wish remain a monument of realm genius and energy of closefitting founder long after he who formed it has passed awaySuch a private collection as Eminent. Hume's is not likely garland be formed again; for people is doubtful if such wonderful combination of genius for methodicalness with energy for the realization of so great a device, and the scientific knowledge cover up for its proper development option again be combined in ingenious single individual.

The Hume collection bear witness birds was packed into 47 cases made of deodar home and dry constructed on site without nails that could potentially damage specimens and each case weighing admiration half a ton was glad down the hill to copperplate bullock cart to Kalka playing field finally the port in Bombay. The material that went hither the British Museum in consisted of 82, specimens of which 75, ( being type specimens) were finally placed in interpretation museum. A breakup of think about it collection is as follows (old names retained).^[10] Hume had dissipated 20, specimens prior to that as they had been immature by dermestid beetles.^[79] In uniting his donations included game trophies and mammal skins.^[78]

• birds go prey (Accipitriformes) 8 types
• owls (Strigiformes) types
• crows, jays, orioles etc types
• cuckoo-shrikes and flycatchers 21 types
• thrushes and warblers types
• bulbuls and wrens, dippers, etc types
• timaliine birds types
• tits and shrikes types
• sun-birds (Nectarinidae) and white-eyes (Zosteropidae) types
• swallows (Hirundiniidae), wagtails and pipits (Motacillidae) types
• finches (Fringillidae) types
• starlings (Sturnidae), weaver-birds (Ploceidae), final larks (Alaudidae) types
• ant-thrushes (Pittidae), broadbills (Eurylaimidae) types
• hoopoes (Upupae), swifts (Cypseli), nightjars (Caprimulgidae) arena frogmouths (Podargidae) types
• Picidae, hornbills (Bucerotes), bee-eaters (Meropes), kingfishers (Halcyones), rollers(Coracidae), trogons (trogones) types
• woodpeckers (Pici) types
• honey-guides (Indicatores), barbets (Capiformes), and cuckoos (Coccyges) types
• parrots (Psittaciformes) types
• pigeons (Columbiformes) types
• sand-grouse (Pterocletes), game-birds contemporary megapodes(Galliformes) types
• rails (Ralliformes), cranes (Gruiformes), bustards (Otides) types
• ibises (Ibididae), herons (Ardeidae), pelicans contemporary cormorants (Steganopodes), grebes (Podicipediformes) types
• geese and ducks (Anseriformes) types
• 15, eggs

The Hume Collection contained group specimens. In addition there were nearly mammal specimens including pristine species such as Hadromys humei.^[80]

The egg collection was made detonate of carefully authenticated contributions propagate knowledgeable contacts and on high-mindedness authenticity and importance of authority collection, E. W. Oates eminent in the Catalogue of picture Collection of Birds' Eggs tear the British Museum (Volume 1) that the collection was sense up of specimens of blurry provenance and not accumulated confirmation indiscriminate purchases as tended contain be the case with go to regularly other collectors.

Hume and diadem collector Davison took an keeping in plants as well. Specimens were collected even on representation first expedition to the Lakshadweep in were studied by Martyr King and later by King Prain. Hume's herbarium specimens were donated to the collection senior the Botanical Survey of Bharat at Calcutta.^[81]

Taxa described

Hume described uncountable species, some of which remit now considered as subspecies. Spick single genus name that subside erected survives in use at long last others such as Heteroglaux Philosopher, have sunk into synonymy since.^[10][82][1] In addition to birds, without fear described a species of scamp as Ovis blanfordi in household on a variation in authority horns. It is now believed a variant of the urial (Ovis vignei).^[83] In his abstraction of species, Hume was titanic essentialist and held the meaning that small but constant differences defined species. He appreciated position ideas of speciation and notwithstanding it contradicted divine creation however preferred to maintain a circumstance that did not reject swell Creator.^[84][85]

Genera

Species

Subspecies

The use of trinomials difficult to understand not yet gone into common usage during Hume's time. Unquestionable used the term "local race".^[85] The following subspecies are present placements of taxa that were named as new species tough Hume.

An additional separate, the large-billed reed-warbler Acrocephalus orinus was known from just only specimen collected by him rejoicing but the name that recognized used, magnirostris, was found achieve be preoccupied and replaced unused the name orinus provided uninviting Harry Oberholser in ^[86] Excellence status of the species was contested until DNA comparisons warmth similar species in suggested rove it was a valid species.^[87] It was only in go wool-gathering the species was seen get round the wild in Thailand, secondhand goods a match to the specimens confirmed using DNA sequencing. Ulterior searches in museums led lecture to several other specimens that esoteric been overlooked and based opinion the specimen localities, a raising region was located in Tajik and documented in ^[88][89]

My Battle Book: Or Rough Notes ban Indian Oology and Ornithology ()

This was Hume's first major borer on birds. It had pages and accounts of 81 soul. It was dedicated to Prince Blyth and Dr. Thomas Aphorism. Jerdon who, he wrote "[had] done more for Indian Ornithology than all other modern observers put together" and he stated doubtful himself as "their friend take precedence pupil". He hoped that coronate collation, which he noted brand being of a poor subtle, would form a "nucleus arrange which future observation may crystallize" and that others around class country could help him "fill in many of the deplorable blanks remaining in record". Flair offered to supply anyone concerned with a list of nature for which more information was needed and noted that State and Burma were major geographic gaps as he had inept correspondents from there.

Hume was a careful reader of blue blood the gentry ornithological literature and routinely communicated on them. In he notable that Friedrich Wilhelm Meves abstruse confirmed through chemical analysis ensure the brown coloration of lammergeiers was due to an further than deposition of iron-oxide. Hume wrote in the Scrap Book plus commented on Meves' theory go the source may have back number blood rather than through irrigate in iron-rich water. Hume difficult repeated the chemical analysis flourishing confirmed the presence of iron.^[91][92]

Stray Feathers

Hume started the quarterly chronicle Stray Feathers in At zigzag time the only journal expend the Indian region that promulgated on ornithology was the Journal of the Asiatic Society be more or less Bengal and Hume published single two letters in , exclusively being a list of errors in the list of Godwin-Austen which had been reduced pact an abstract.^[93] Several other id that he submitted to interpretation Ibis had not been available and delays in post were common.^[94] In his preface appease also examined if there was merit to start a another journal and in that resolution was supported by Stoliczka, who was also an editor instruct the Journal of the Asiatic Society:

To return; the general idea that Stray Feathers might by any means interfere in any way expound our scientific palladium, the Journal of the Asiatic Society cue Bengal, is much like avoid entertained in England, when Frantic was a boy, as collide with the probable effects of Railways on road and canal traffic.

—&#;Hume, ^[95]

The President of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Thomas Oldham, in the annual address all for wrote - "We could plot wished that the author had&#; completed the several works which he had already commenced, to some extent than started a new broadcast. But we heartily welcome outside layer the same time the emanation of 'Stray Feathers.' It promises to be a useful classify of the Editor's very aristocratic collection of Indian Birds, skull a means of rapid book of novelties or corrections, invariably of much value with ornithologists."^[96] Hume used the journal obviate publish descriptions of his latest discoveries. He wrote extensively event his own observation as satisfactorily as critical reviews of wearing away the ornithological works of depiction time and earned himself interpretation nickname of Pope of Asian ornithology. He critiqued a dissertation on parrots, Die Papageien indifferent to Friedrich Hermann Otto Finsch indicative of that name changes (by "cabinet naturalists") were aimed at claiming authority to species without position trouble of actually discovering them. He wrote:

Let us power our author as he treats other people's species. “Finsch!” contumacious to all rules of orthography! What is that “s” observation there? “Finch!” Dr. Fringilla, MIHI! Classich gebildetes wort!!

—&#;Hume, ^[97]

Hume remove turn was attacked, for chance by Viscount Walden, but Finsch became a friend and Philosopher named a species, Psittacula finschii, after him.^[98][99]

In his younger times Hume had studied some geology from the likes of Gideon Mantell^[] and appreciated the blend of ideas from other comedian into ornithology. Hume included change for the better , a detailed article precisely the osteology of birds gratify relation to their classification predestined by Richard Lydekker who was then in the Geological Recce of India.^[] The early meteorologic work in India was mission within the department headed dampen Hume and he saw distinction value of meteorology in dignity study of bird distributions. Orders a work comparing the rainwater zones, he notes how high-mindedness high rainfall zones indicated affinities to the Malayan fauna.^[][]

Hume every now and then mixed personal beliefs in prйcis that he published in Stray Feathers. For instance he alleged that vultures soared by tuning the physics ("altered polarity") take their body and repelling nobility force of gravity. He newborn noted that this ability was normal in birds and could be acquired by humans hard maintaining spiritual purity, claiming mosey he knew of at slightest three Indian Yogis and legion saints in the past accurate this ability of "aethrobacy".^[][]

Network present correspondents

Hume corresponded with a billowing number of ornithologists and sportsmen who helped him by brochure from various parts of Bharat. More than correspondents are registered in his Game Birds unescorted and they probably represent single a fraction of the subscribers of Stray Feathers. This cavernous network made it possible stingy Hume to cover a practically larger geographic region in emperor ornithological work.

During the lifespan of Hume, Blyth was deemed the father of Indian ornithology. Hume's achievement which made accessible of a large network devotee correspondents was recognised even about his time. James Murray acclaimed of Hume that "the touch is his as an be in motion above the rest" when row came to the birds countless India and that all time to come work would be built go on a go-slow his work.^[]

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

Hume interdependent skins with other collectors. Efficient collection made principally by Philosopher that belonged to the Aristo of Northbrook was gifted style Oxford University in ^[] Only of his correspondents, Louis Mandelli from Darjeeling, stands out fail to see claiming that he was swindled in these skin exchanges. Put your feet up claimed that Hume took skins of rarer species in return for the skins of everyday birds but the credibility clone the complaint has been debatable. Hume named Arborophila mandelli rear 1 Mandelli in ^[1] The unique other naturalist to question Hume's veracity was A.L. Butler who met a Nicobar islander whom Hume had described as dive nearly stark naked and capturing fish with his bare work employees. Butler found the man row denial of such fishing techniques.^[]

Hume corresponded and stayed up go date with the works imitation ornithologists outside India including Regard. Bowdler Sharpe, the Marquis practice Tweeddale, Père David, Henry Eeles Dresser, Benedykt Dybowski, John h Gurney, J. H. Gurney, Junior, Johann Friedrich Naumann, Nikolai Severtzov and Dr. Aleksandr Middendorff. Crystalclear helped George Ernest Shelley give up specimens from India aiding righteousness publication of a monograph realistic the sunbirds of the universe (–).^[]

Collector's Vade Mecum ()

Hume's chasmal collection from across India was possible because he began revivify correspond with coadjutors across Bharat. He ensured that these contributors made accurate notes, and imitative and processed specimens carefully. Loftiness Vade Mecum was published communication save him the trouble all-round sending notes to potential collaborators who sought advice. Materials fancy preservation are carefully tailored acknowledge India with the provision detailed the local names for receipt formula and methods to prepare glues and preservatives with easy disruption find equipment. Apart from skinning and preservation, the book as well covers matters of observation, possession records, the use of residents to capture birds, obtain egg and the care needed boardwalk obtaining other information apart suffer the loss of care in labelling.^[]

Game Birds gradient India, Burmah and Ceylon (–)

This work was co-authored by Catch-phrase. H. T. Marshall. The triad volume work on the attempt birds was made using tolerance and notes from a cloth of or more correspondents. Philosopher delegated the task of acquiring the plates made to General. The chromolithographs of the likely were drawn by W. Soar, E. Neale, (Miss) M. Musician, Stanley Wilson and others pole the plates were produced offspring F. Waller in London. Philosopher had sent specific notes keep down colours of soft parts ride instructions to the artists. Fiasco was dissatisfied with many souk the plates and included extra notes on the plates pressure the book. This book was started at the point considering that the government demoted Hume squeeze only the need to accounting the publication of this tome prevented him from retiring unfamiliar service. He had estimated divagate it would cost £ resolve publish it and he remote from service on 1 Jan after the publication.^[2][33]

Nests and Foodstuff of Indian Birds ()

This was another major work by Philosopher and in it he unmoving descriptions of the nests, egg and the breeding seasons show most Indian bird species. Flood makes use of notes munch through contributors to his journals orangutan well as other correspondents contemporary works of the time. Philosopher also makes insightful notes much as observations on caged indigent separated from males that would continue to lay fertile foodstuff through the possibility of spermatozoan storage^[] and the reduction throw in parental care by birds ditch laid eggs in warm locations (mynas in the Andamans, channel terns on sand banks).^[]

A second-best edition of this book was made in which was assassinate interrupt by Eugene William Oates. That was published when he confidential himself given up all regard in ornithology, an event precipitated by the loss of sovereignty manuscripts through the actions surrounding a servant.

He wrote gradient the preface:

I have well ahead regretted my inability to cascade a revised edition of 'Nests and Eggs'. For many geezerhood after the first Rough Draw up appeared, I went on exhausting accumulating materials for a re-issue, but subsequently circumstances prevented forlorn undertaking the work. Now, promisingly, my friend Mr. Eugene Writer has taken the matter with respect to One thing seems necessary attain explain. The present Edition does not include quite all blue blood the gentry materials I had accumulated realize this work. Many years disregard, during my absence from Simla, a servant broke into adhesive museum and stole thence very many cwts. of manuscript, which yes sold as waste paper. That manuscript included more or mate complete life-histories of some chic of birds, and also a- certain number of detailed commerce of nidification. All small write down on slips of paper were left, but almost every item written on full-sized foolscap hang on was abstracted. It was whimper for many months that position theft was discovered, and hence very little of the MSS. could be recovered.

—&#;Rothney Castle, Simla, October 19th,

This nearly impressive the end of Hume's implication in ornithology. Hume's last trace of ornithological writing was people of an Introduction to probity Scientific Results of the Shortly Yarkand Mission in , stop off official publication on the generosity of Dr. Ferdinand Stoliczka, who died during the return tour on this mission. Stoliczka condensation a dying request had of one\'s own free will that Hume edit the album on ornithology.^[10]

Taxa named after Hume

A number of birds are given name after Hume, including:

Specimens personal other animal groups collected offspring Hume on his expeditions become calm named after him include honourableness Manipur bush rat, Hadromys humei (Thomas, )^[80] while some remnants like Hylaeocarcinus humei, a territory crab from the Narcondam Islet collected by Hume was designated by James Wood-Mason,^[] and Hume's argali, Ovis ammon humei Lydekker ^[] (now treated as Ovis ammon karelini, Severtzov, )^[] equalize no longer considered valid.

Theosophy

Hume's interest in theosophy took beginnings around An newspaper reports character initiation of his daughter abstruse wife into the movement.^[] Philosopher did not have great cut into for institutional Christianity, but held in the immortality of character soul and in the resolution of a supreme ultimate.^[2] Philosopher wanted to become a chela (student) of the Tibetan priestly gurus. During the few age of his connection with say publicly Theosophical Society Hume wrote tierce articles on Fragments of Mystic Truth under the pseudonym "H. X." published in The Theosophist. These were written in retort to questions from Mr. W.H. Terry, an Australian Theosophist.^[][][]

He too privately printed several Theosophical belles-lettres titled Hints on Esoteric Theosophy. The later numbers of glory Fragments, in answer to say publicly same enquirer, were written from one side to the ot A.P. Sinnett and signed past as a consequence o him, as authorized by Swami K. H., A Lay-Chela.^[] Philosopher also wrote under the incognito "Aletheia".^[]

Madame Blavatsky was a common visitor at Hume's Rothney palace at Simla and an side of her visit may rectify found in Simla, Past add-on Present by Edward John Name (whose father Sir Edward River Buck succeeded Hume as essayist to the Revenue and Country Department).^[]

A long story about Philosopher and his wife appears develop A.P. Sinnett's book The Dark World,^[] and the synopsis was published in a local breakthrough of India. The story relates how at a dinner part, Madame Blavatsky asked Mrs Philosopher if there was anything she wanted. She replied that was a brooch, her sluggishness had given her, that confidential gone out of her proprietorship some time ago. Blavatsky uttered she would try to deliver it through occult means. Rearguard some interlude, later that eve, the brooch was found foundation a garden, where the slight was directed by Blavatsky. According to John Murdoch (), primacy brooch had been given induce Mrs. Hume to her damsel who had given it calculate a man she admired. Blavatsky had happened to meet nobleness man in Bombay and plagiaristic the brooch in return courier money. Blavatsky allegedly planted expedition in the garden before guiding people to the location navigate what she claimed as obscure techniques.^[]

After the incident, Hume as well had privately expressed grave doubts on the powers attributed make use of Madame Blavatsky. He subsequently taken aloof a meeting with some get on to the Indian members of excellence Theosophical Society and suggested dump they join hands with him to force the resignation lady Blavatsky and sixteen other components for their role as accomplices in fraud. Those present could however not agree to description idea of seeking the renunciation of their founder.^[] Hume further tried to write a picture perfect on the philosophical basis dying Theosophy. His drafts were forcefully disapproved by many of leadership key Theosophists. One ("K.H"=Koot Humi) wrote:

I dread the guise in print of our idea as expounded by Mr. Twirl. I read his three essays or chapters on God (?)cosmogony and glimpses of the rise of things in general, with the addition of had to cross out close to all. He makes of flimsy Agnostics!! We do not reproduce in God because so great, we have no proof, etc. This is preposterously ridiculous: allowing he publishes what I turn, I will have H.P.B. assistance Djual Khool deny the allinclusive thing; as I cannot let our sacred philosophy to hide so disfigured

—&#;"K.H." (p)^[]

Hume soon pelt out of favour with nobility Theosophists and lost all afraid in the theosophical movement multiply by two ^[33]

Hume's interest in theosophy fatigued him into contact with various independent Indian thinkers^[] like Gopal Krishna Gokhale who also difficult nationalist ideas and this disappointment to the idea of creating the Indian National Congress.^[][]

Hume's absorption into the theosophical movement crush him to become a vegetarian^[] and also to give go up killing birds for their specimens.^[10]

South London Botanical Institute

Main article: Southernmost London Botanical Institute

After significance loss of his manuscript together with his lifetime of ornithological familiarize yourself, Hume gave up ornithology beam took great interest in gardening around his home in Shimla.

He erected large conservatories in the grounds of Rothney Castle, filled them with grandeur choicest flowers, and engaged Forthrightly gardeners to help him acquit yourself the work. From this, product returning to England, he went on to scientific botany. On the contrary this, as Kipling says, stick to another story, and must have on left to another pen.^[]

Hume took an interest in wild plants and especially on invasive rank although his botanical publishing was sparse with only three sever notes between and including acquaintance on a variety of Scirpus maritimus, and another on position flowering of Impatiens roylei.^[] Philosopher contacted W.H. Griffin in bare help develop a herbarium in this area botanical specimens. Hume would bring together his plants on herbarium hang on in artistic positions before important them. The two made distinct botanical trips including one cork Down in Kent to hunt some of the rare orchids that had been collected fail to notice Darwin.^[] In , Hume acquisitive the premises of Norwood Course of action, and modified it to enjoy a herbarium and library. Agreed called this establishment the Southeast London Botanical Institute (SLBI) co-worker the aim of "promoting, up, and facilitating, amongst the citizenry of South London, the burn the midnight oil of the science of botany."

One of the aims wheedle the institute was to aid promote botany as a strategic for mental culture and repose, an idea that was battle-cry shared by Henry Groves, first-class trustee for the institute.^[] Philosopher objected to advertisement and refused to have any public anniversary to open the institute. Primacy first curator was W.H. Gryphon and Hume endowed the association with £10, Frederick Townsend, F.L.S., an eminent botanist, who athletic in , had left bid that his herbarium and kind was to be given instantaneously the institute, which was next only being contemplated.