James Frederic Elton
James Frederic Elton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1840 |
| Died | 1877 |
| Nationality | British |
James Frederic Elton (1840–1877) was an English explorer in Africa.
Life
Born 3 August 1840, he was the second son of Lieutenant-colonel Roberts W. Elton of the 59th Regiment, Bengal Army, and grandson of Jacob Elton of Dedham, Essex.[1]
When the
In 1860, Elton volunteered for service in China, and was present at the
In 1868, Elton went to Natal, and occupied himself in travelling about the colony until 1870, when he undertook a long journey of exploration from the
In 1871, Elton was sent to make reports on the gold and diamond fields, and was also employed on a diplomatic mission to settle differences with the Portuguese authorities. In 1872 he was appointed government agent on the Zulu frontier. After some months, he returned to Natal to recover from an attack of fever caused. While at Natal, he acted as protector of the immigrant native labourers, and became a member of the executive and legislative councils.[2]
Wishing to be active, in 1873 Elton left Natal with various missions: one of which was to treat with the
During the same year (1873), Elton was appointed by Sir Bartle Frere assistant political agent and vice-consul at Zanzibar, with a view to assist
In March 1875, Elton was promoted to the office of
Early in 1877, he started from Mozambique on an expedition to the west and north-west, into the heart of the Makua country, returning to the coast at Mwendazi or
His mission to the chiefs and the circumnavigation of the lake were successfully accomplished, but with the land journey troubles began; "the country was devastated by wars among the different tribes, porterage and food wore often unobtainable, and instead of taking a direct route to the east Elton was compelled to travel by a very circuitous one to the north".
Works
His journals were edited and completed by H. B. Cotterill under the title of Travels and Researches among the Lakes and Mountains of Eastern and Central Africa.... With maps and illustrations [and a preface, by Horace Waller, containing a brief memoir of J. F. Elton], London, 1879. A portrait accompanies the work.
Notes
- ^ a b c d Goodwin 1889, p. 338.
- ^ Goodwin 1889, pp. 338, 339.
- ^ a b c d e f g Goodwin 1889, p. 339.
References
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Goodwin, Gordon (1889). "Elton, James Frederic". In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 17. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 338, 339.
- Sir R. Alcock's Anniversary Address, 27 May 1878, in Proceedings of Royal Geographical Society, xxii. 306–8, also pages 248–51, and passim
- Waller's Preface to Travels
- Annual Register (1878), cxx 141-2
- Sanders's Celebrities of the Century, page 393.
External links
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| National | |
