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CAPPER, John. Lambeth, Surrey 29.9.1814 — Fulham, Middlesex 31.3.1898. British Journalist and Writer in Sri Lanka. Son of Benjamin Pitts C. and Maria Margaret Bessell. In 1837 he joined a coffee wholesale business and was sent to Ceylon. He was interested in journalism and in 1840 founded short-lived (to 1842) The Ceylon Magazine. The collapse of coffee market in 1847 brought him back to London and from now on he concentrated on journalism. Returned to Ceylon in 1858 and worked to 1874 as the editor of the Ceylon Times, then retired. In 1882 a third visit to Ceylon. Married 1839 Anna Amelia Ackland and 1859 Sarah Ann Richards, children.

Publications: “The Revenue and Expenditure of the Dutch Government in Ceylon during the last years of their Administration”, JRAS-CB 1:4, 1847-48, 183-197; other articles.

– The Three Presidencies of India: A History of the Rise and Progress of the British Indian Possessions. 12+492 p. L. 1853.
– Pictures from the East. Illustrated by J. L. K. van Dort. 2+162 p. L. 1854.
–  Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon: A book of elephant and elk sport. 153 p. L. 1871.

Sources: Wikipedia with photo.