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Accessed: 3/25/21
James Silk Buckingham
James Silk Buckingham by Clara S. Lane
Born 25 August 1786
Flushing, Cornwall
Died 30 June 1855 (aged 68)
London, England
Nationality British
Occupation author, journalist, traveller
James Silk Buckingham (25 August 1786 – 30 June 1855) was a Cornish-born British author, journalist and traveller, known for his contributions to Indian journalism. He was a pioneer among the Europeans who fought for a liberal press in India.
Early life
Buckingham was born at Flushing near Falmouth on 25 August 1786, the son of Thomasine Hambly of Bodmin and Christopher Buckingham (died 1793/94) of Barnstaple. His father, and his ancestors, were seafaring men.[1] James was the youngest of three boys and four girls and his youth was spent at sea. The property of his deceased parents consisted of houses, land, mines and shares, which was left to the three youngest children.[1] In 1797 he was captured by the French and held as a prisoner of war at Corunna.
Career
In 1821, his Travels in Palestine was published, followed by Travels Among the Arab Tribes in 1825.[2] After years of wandering he settled in India, where he established a periodical, the Calcutta Journal, in 1818. This venture at first proved highly successful, but in 1823 the paper's outspoken criticisms of the East India Company led to the expulsion of Buckingham from India and to the suppression of the paper by John Adam, the acting governor-general in 1823. His case was brought before a select committee of the House of Commons in 1834, and a pension of £500 a year was subsequently awarded to him by the East India Company as compensation.
James Silk Buckingham, by Henry William Pickersgill
Buckingham continued his journalistic ventures on his return to England; he settled at Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park,[3] and started the Oriental Herald and Colonial Review (1824–9) and the Athenaeum (1828) which was not a success in his hands, Buckingham selling to John Sterling after a few weeks.
Between 1832 and 1836 Buckingham served as MP for Sheffield. He was a strong advocate of social reform, calling for the end of flogging in the armed services, abolition of the press-gang and the repeal of the Corn Laws.[4]
During his time as an MP, Buckingham served as Chair of the select committee charged with examining "the extent, causes, and consequences of the prevailing vice of intoxication among the laboring classes of the United Kingdom" devise a solution. Campaigner for the working class Frances Place concluded that the lack of “parish libraries and direct reading rooms, and popular lecture that were both entertaining and instructive” were drawing individuals to frequent “public houses for other social enjoyment.” [5] With this in mind, Buckingham introduced the Public Institutions bill in 1835. Buckingham’s bill allowed boroughs to charge a tax to set up libraries and museums. This bill never became law but would serve as inspiration for William Ewart and Joseph Brotherton, who introduced a bill that would "[empower] boroughs with a population of 10,000 or more to raise a ½d for the establishment of museums".[6] Ewart and Brotherton’s bill would become the basis for the Museum Act of 1845.
Following his retirement from parliament, in October 1837, Buckingham began a four-year tour of North America. In 1844 he was central to the foundation of the British and Foreign Institute in Hanover Square.[4]
BRITISH AND FOREIGN INSTITUTE, George-street, Hanover-square, was formed by James Silk Buckingham, under the patronage of Prince Albert, who was present at the opening in 1844. The leading object of the Institute was to afford a point of union for literary and scientific men from all quarters of the globe, without distinction of nation, politics, or creed; to give facilities of introduction to strangers visiting the metropolis from the country; and to add the attractions of literature, science, and art, the refinements and grace of female society. The Club-rooms had the accommodations of a family hotel. The Institute did not long exist.
Curiosities of London, 1867, by John Timbs
Buckingham was the former editor of The Asiatic Mirror.
He was a prolific writer. He had travelled in Europe, America and the East, and wrote many useful travel books, as well as many pamphlets on political and social subjects. "In 1851, the value of these and of his other literary works was recognized by the grant of a Civil List pension of £200 a year. At the time of his death in London, Buckingham was at work on his autobiography, two volumes of the intended four being completed and published (1855)".[7] This work is important as it mentions in detail the life of the black composer Joseph Antonio Emidy who settled in Truro.
Personal life
In February 1806, Buckingham married Elizabeth Jennings (1786–1865), the daughter of a Cornish farmer.
Buckingham died after a long illness at Stanhope Lodge, Upper Avenue Road, St John's Wood, London, on 30 June 1855.[4] Buckingham is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.[8]
His youngest son, Leicester Silk Buckingham, was a popular playwright.
Works
• Contribution For the Commemoration of the Fourth of July, 1838. Contribution For the Commemoration of the Fourth of July 1838. Written on a couch of sickness. By J S Buckingham, of England, Albany, N.Y., 3 July 1838.
• America, historical, statistic, and descriptive. Jackson, Fisher, Son, London, 1841.
• The Slaves States of North America, VI. Fisher, Son, and Co. London, 1842.
• The Slaves States of North America, VII. Fisher, Son, and Co. London, 1842.
• National Evils and Practical Remedies. With the Plan of a Model Town. Jackson, Fisher, Son, London, 1849.
• (1821): Travels in Palestine Through the Countries of Bashan and Gilead, East of the River Jordan, Including a Visit to the Cities of Geraza and Gamala in the Decapolis In two volumes (only volume I).
• (1825): Travels among the Arab Tribes Inhabiting the Countries East of Syria and Palestine. The full text, google-books.
• (1827): Travels in Mesopotamia Including a Journey from Aleppo to Bagdad By the Route of Beer, Orfah, Diarbekr, Mardin, and Mosul; With Researches on the Ruins of Nineveh, Babylon, and Other Ancient Cities.
References
1. "The Flushing Boy Who Became A Great Traveller". The Cornishman (212). 3 August 1882. p. 6.
2. Shepherd, Naomi, The Zealous Intruders: the Western Rediscovery of Palestine, London 1987, p. 59.
3. "Cornwall Terrace". Archived from the original on 12 October 2012.
4. "Buckingham, James Silk (1786–1855), author and traveller". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/3855. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
5. Select Committee on inquiry into drunkenness, Report (1834)
6. Thomas, Kelly (1977). Books for the People: Illustrated History of the British Public Library. Britain: Harper Collins. p. 77. ISBN 0233967958.
7. Santanu Banerjee (2010). History of Journalism : A Legend of Glory. Suhrid Publication. ISBN 978-81-92151-99-1.
8. "Term details". British Museum. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Buckingham, James Silk". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• G. F. R. Barker, ‘Buckingham, James Silk (1786–1855)’, rev. Felix Driver, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 11 Oct 2007
External links
• Cornwall portal
• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by James Silk Buckingham
• Portraits of James Silk Buckingham at the National Portrait Gallery, London
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James Silk Buckingham and his Contribution to Indian Journalism
by Harpreet Singh
Table of Contents
James Silk Buckingham________________________________________________________ 1 Contribution to Indian Journalism ________________________________________________ 2 Buckingham vs. Hicky ________________________________________________________ 6 Buckingham vs. Raja Ram Mohan Roy ____________________________________________ 8 References _________________________________________________________________ 9
James Silk Buckingham
James Silk Buckingham
The newspapers came to India as an alien product, as one the benefits of British colonialism. The initial strength and power for launching of newspapers was directly fostered in England. James Augustus Hicky has the distinction of starting the press in India. Later, James Silk Buckingham got the title for being called the Pioneer of true Indian Journalism. He infused a new light to Indian Journalism. He was the trailblazer among the Europeans who fought for liberal Press in India.
In 1821, his Travels in Palestine were published, followed by Travels Among the Arab Tribes in 1825. After years of wandering he settled in India, where he established a periodical, the Calcutta Journal, in 1818. This venture at first proved highly successful, but in 1823 the paper's outspoken criticisms of the East India Company led to the expulsion of Buckingham from India.
Buckingham continued his journalistic ventures on his return to England. He started the Oriental Herald and Colonial Review (1824) and Athenaeum there. He was a prolific writer. He travelled in Europe, America and the East, and wrote many useful travel books, as well as many pamphlets on political and social subjects.
At the time of his death in London, Buckingham was at work on his autobiography, two volumes of the intended four being completed and published.
Contribution to Indian Journalism
On September 22, 1818 the prospectus of a newspaper was published
Buckingham was born in 1784 near Cornwell in England. Son of Christopher Buckingham, his was a chequered career-- as a jailor, printer, book-seller, mariner and editor. In 1813 he offered his services to the Pasha of Egypt to explore the Isthmus of the Suez to trace as far as possible the course of the ancient canal. Thereafter he was given a commission by the Pasha to establish a trade between India and Egypt. But the venture did not succeed owing to unwillingness of the Bombay merchants. In June 1818 he commanding the Humayoon Shah when he was asked to sail to Madagascar coast for the purpose of giving convoy to some ships carrying slaves. Rather than embark on such an obnoxious quest, he surrendered his command. This gesture, widely applauded in Calcutta, did not escape the notice of the Company authorities and the other leaders of the society in Calcutta. It inspired the public to read the journal in which he had recorded some impressions of his travel in Palestine. His literary ability caught the imagination of John Palmer, head of the well-known mercantile house of that name, Palmer felt that the merchants of the city should have their own paper to air their problems. He requested Buckingham to accept the editorship of the newspaper. Buckingham gave his consent. On September 22, 1818 Buckingham published a prospectus of a newspaper to be entitled the Calcutta Journal or Political or Literary Gazette.
The Calcutta Journal appeared as bi-weekly with eight pages on Oct 2, 1818.
The prospectus announced: "The state of the Press has been a subject of surprise, of disappointment, and of regret to all strangers on their first arrival in India: and the impression of its imperfections gradually loses its force after a long residence in the country, yet some of its ablest apologists and most zealous supporters acknowledged its reform to be desideratum."
The motto of the newspaper was stated as, A forward retention of custom is as turbulent a thing as innovation and they that reverence too much old times are but a scorn to the new.
The Calcutta Journal appeared as bi-weekly with eight pages on Oct 2, 1818. The first issue came out with a quotation from Bacon in bold letters, which was declared to be the motto of the paper. It stated, "A forward retention of custom is as turbulent a thing as innovation and they that reverence too much old times are but a scorn to the new." The paper presented a wide selection of news and drew the attention of the people and the authorities to such prevailing grievances as the insufficient state of the police and the allegations that certain persons in European dress were making the streets of Calcutta unsafe at night. The correspondence columns were thrown open to any who had grievances to air.
As an editor, Buckingham considered it his Sacred right to admonish Governors of their duties, to warn them furiously of their faults and to tell disagreeable truths through his newspaper.
As an editor, Buckingham said, "he considered it his Sacred right to admonish Governors of their duties, to warn them furiously of their faults, and to tell disagreeable truths." He courageously faced all odds, followed the motto scrupulously, and performed his duties fearlessly. The paper was a success from its very first issue.
The paper, "well conducted," "independent" and "clever," became the talk of the town in no time. Buckingham was a Whig, and most of his reprints from the British papers were in condemnation of the Tories. He also gave a proof of his literary bent of mind by introducing Byron's Childe Harold and Don Juan and Scott's Ivanhoe to Calcutta readers1.
As a sailor he was interested in development of new means of communication. He drew attention in his columns to the North-west passage, Red sea route, steam navigation, and the possibility of a voyage by air from Bombay to London.
A champion of free trade, Buckingham campaigned for the abolition of East India Company's monopoly. In his view, the whole continent of Asia should be opened to the unrestricted competition of whoever was willing to risk his health and fortune.
On May 1, 1819 the Calcutta Journal was converted into the First Daily of Calcutta.
The government and the papers which he criticized in his prospectus now joined hands to crush him. Undaunted, Buckingham soon converted his bi-weekly into "the first daily of Calcutta" on May 1, 1819 under all the disadvantages of a combined opposition.1 [Modern History of Indian Press, p 42 (Sunit Ghosh)]
The Asiatic Mirror, Commercial Advertiser, October 9, 1793
Quite expectedly, the existing newspapers in Calcutta received this newspaper with violent opposition. Rev Samuel James Bryce, who owned the Asiatic Mirror, openly cast doubts on the moral standard of the new editor. His allegations were based on the fact that Buckingham had demonstrated the steps of a quadrille on Sunday -- apparently a heinous offence against Bryce's ideas of Sabbath. But the counter statements given by Buckingham resulted in the death of the Asiatic Mirror.
The financial success of the journal enabled it to have its own building constructed, a new improved Columbian Press imported from England together with English, Greek, Hebrew and Arabic fonts. The value of the enterprise in 1822 was estimated at 40,000 pounds. According to Margarita Barns, Buckingham's yearly income was about eight thousand pounds, he may be called one of the leading pioneers of modern journalism in India.2 [The Indian Press, p 96 (Barns).]
Buckingham late emphasized on news of local conditions rather than talking about fashion, social elites or criticism of popular people. He was fearless in writing against certain Indian customs like Sati system, Parda and child marriages. He started giving prominence to news and views published in Bengali and Persian and started printing the summary into Calcutta Chronicle. He advocated the policy of freedom press & expression. He was of an opinion that free press is required to keep a check on the working of the government.
In 1819 he again targeted corrupt system of East India Company by making adverse comments on the appointment of Hugh Elliot as the Governor of Madras. An infuriated Elliot asked the Calcutta authorities to punish the editor. The Government at Fort William sent a warning to the editor with which enclosed a copy of Press Rules of 1818. But Buckingham carried on his tirade and spared none in his attacks. Not even the Chief Justice, the Governor of Madras or the Lord Bishop of Calcutta [could stop him].
Libel suits were filed against him. He was also threatened and physically assaulted. Despite heavy odds, Buckingham had so long held aloft his ideal of press freedom. But his fortune suffered a jolt after the Hastings regime came to an end. John Adams became the officiating Governor-General on January 13, 1823. He was also against Buckingham and his newspaper. He revoked Buckingham's license to stay in India. And, finally, he was deported back to England in 1823. In England, he filed a case against East India Company and was awarded 500 pounds as a compensation every year in 1834.
In 1823, Buckingham's license to stay in India was revoked and he was deported back to England.
Buckingham vs. Hicky
James Silk Buckingham versus James Augustus Hicky
James Augustus Hicky
James Augustus Hicky was an Irishman who is considered as the birth giver of Indian press. He is the person who started a newspaper which was called as Hicky's Gazette, or Bengal Gazette; even it was aliased as Calcutta General Advertiser which came into being on January 29th 1780. It declared itself as weekly Political and commercial paper open to all parties but influenced by none. It is very important to observe the statement which implicates that the newspaper was not influenced by the Government or other party, but to the interest of people, which although proved to be a tool used by James Augustus Hicky's personal contention with the British rule or its representative -- East India Company.
Hicky's Bengal Gazette: Or the Original Calcutta General Advertiser, March 3-19, 1781
The content was mainly for criticizing the East India Company. But to make it more catchy and readable, Hicky added other things [in the] four-page Gazette, like a Gossip column, a poet's corner, news related the European scandals, and most importantly the advertisement. The thing to be noted here is that the content was used to put more emphasis on criticizing the men in power like Warren Hastings, and even people related to the rulers like Lady Hastings. The content of "Hicky's Gazette" was used more for acting as a tool of criticism and not for the benefit of the general masses and public. A severe criticism can be done to Hicky's Gazette as it lacked the ethics of Journalism and was more slang -- using nicknames of people, and also wasn't a benefactor to the common public.
If we compare and set a contrast between Hicky's contribution to the contribution of James Silk Buckingham, there is no doubt that Hicky provided and initiated a platform for Indian press, but we cant deny and defy the fact that Buckingham's contribution is more legendry and praiseworthy. Buckingham was an Anglo-Indian who is titled as "the Father of true Indian Journalism." He in a true sense can be termed as pioneer of ethical Journalism of India. It is said that in the early years of 19th century, Calcutta saw the emergence of a first real and outstanding journalist. Jawaharlal Nehru has described him as "the earliest champion of the freedom press in India and one who is still remembered in this country."
Although, he came to India as an editor of the "Calcutta Chronicle," which was started by the Calcutta merchants to safeguard their vested interested, but Buckingham laid more emphasis and meant his content for uplifting the issues of common public, news of local conditions, and purified his content from making criticism, fashion, advertisement, gossip, and Anglo Social Scandals. He was more concerned about the social reforms, and that is the reason he was more liked by the public. He was also coordinate by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, as he became a pioneer of not only the freedom of speech and expression but a social reformer as well. The reason can be drawn as he was more accustomed to the rituals, cultures, beliefs and values of Indian masses in particular, and the world in general. He was a prolific writer and was more successful in influencing the hearts of suppressed people of British India.
In conclusion, it can be said that James Augustus Hicky is the pioneer of Indian press; but the title of Pioneer of True Indian Journalism, must be given to James Silk Buckingham.
Buckingham vs. Raja Ram Mohan
Roy James Silk Buckingham versus Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
In late 18th century two eminent personalities appeared in the field of journalism in Calcutta. They were James Silk Buckingham, an Englishman, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Both fought energetically against any bureaucratic encroachment on freedom of press and suffered for it, but left the impress of their vision and character on contemporary journalism. Both played a significant role for the freedom of the press. Both attracted the staunchest supporters from among their countrymen, and at the same time provoked bitterest antagonism. Ties of friendship and mutual admiration brought them closer, and they waged relentless fights for the right of the press simultaneously in England and in India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was on Indian scene from 1772-1823. He was born in a Brahmin family. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was also credited for laying the foundation of Indian Journalism. He was perhaps the first Indian journalist. He is remembered for bringing social change in India. He brought a renaissance in Hindu society. The prime focus of Buckingham was to promote open trade across the Middle East, whereas Roy wanted to eradicate the social evils from Indian society. Buckingham started Calcutta Journal with a motive to promote trade, and was fully devoted to mercantile class. Roy started Sambad Kamumdi (moon of intelligence), and Mirut-ul-ukbar, to bring a social change in the Indian society. Later on, they both fought for the freedom of the Press. Buckingham also published some articles against Hindu costumes like Parda system, Sati System and Child Marriages.
References
Textual Books
1. Modern History of Journalism (Sunit Ghosh)
2. Handbook of Journalism & Mass Communication (Vir Bala Aggarwal & VS Gupta)
3. History of Press, Press Laws and Communications (B.N. Ahuja)
Electronic Books & Websites
1. History of Media and Media Legislation in India
2. Blogger
3. Media in India (N Ananth Padmanabha)
Photographs
1. Google images