Alexander Beatson

Alexander Beatson (1758

Life

He was second son of Robert Beatson, Esq., of Kilrie,

After leaving India, Beatson was governor of St. Helena from 1808 to 1813. The island, which then belonged to the East India Company, was in a very unsatisfactory condition. The scanty population had been nearly swept off by a measles epidemic a short time previously, and, although recruited by emigrants from England and by Chinese coolies, was in a wretched state. The acts of the home authorities in suppressing the spirit traffic and other matters gave rise to great discontent, resulting in a mutiny in 1811, which was put down by the firmness of Beatson, who also introduced a better system of cultivation and many other beneficial measures.

After his return to England, he devoted much attention to experiments in agriculture at Knole farm and Henley in Frant, Sussex, near

She was born in Kinghorn in Fife the daughter of David Reid and Jean Renny. They had 13 children.

Works

Beatson was the author of the following works:

• An Account of the Isles of France and Bourbon, 1794, which was never printed, and remains in manuscript at the British Library (Add MS 13868).
• A View of the Origin and Conduct of the War against Tippoo Sultaun (London, 1800, 4to).
• Tracts relative to the Island of St. Helena, with views (London, 1816, 4to)
  • other smaller works on the island besides contributions to the St. Helena Monthly Register
• A New System of Cultivation without Lime or Dung, or Summer Fallowing, as practised at Knole Farm, Sussex (London, 1820, 8vo);
  • various papers on improvements in agriculture.

References