YOUNGHUSBAND, Francis Edward. Murree, Rawalpindi dt. 31.5.1863 — Lytchett Minster, Dorset 31.7.1942. Sir. British Colonial Officer, Diplomate, Traveller, and Central Asian Scholar. In 1882-1909 in India and Asia. Son of Major (then Major-General) John William Y. (1823–1907, in India 1840–70) and Clara Jane Shaw (sister of —> Robert Shaw). Educated at Clifton College. After Sandhurst, joined the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1882 and Indian Staff Corps 1889. In 1886-87 travelled in Manchuria and Chinese Central Asia, in 1889-91 three times in the Pamirs. In 1889 officially transferred from army to Indian Foreign Department. From 1892 Political Agent in Hunza, in 1893-94 in Chitral, 1898 in Haraoti and Tonk, then Resident in Indore. As Commissioner to Tibet he headed the British military expedition to Lhasa in 1903-04. Retired as Lieutenant-Colonel, in 1921-37 living in Westerham, Kent. C.I.E. 1891, K.C.I.E. Married 1897 Helen Augusta Magniac, two children.
Publications: The Heart of a Continent: A Narrative of Travels in Manchuria, across the Gobi Desert, through the Himalayas, the Pamirs, and Chitral, 1884–1894. 17+409 p. 18 pl. 4 maps. L. 1896.
– India and Tibet. A history of the relations which have subsisted between the two countries from the time of Warren Hastings to 1910; with particular account of the mission to Lhasa of 1904. 455 p. L. 1910.
– Kashmir. Painted by Major E. Molyneux. 238 p. 32 pl. L. 1924.
– Nine books explaining his rather curious religious ideas (pantheism with Gaia theory); also wrote on mountaineering.
Sources: Buckland, Dictionary; C. Hopkins, Literature of Travel and Explor. 3, 2003, 1311-1313; *Hopkirk 1987, 159-183; *G. Seaver, Fr.Y.: Explorer and Mystic. L. 1952; Wikipedia, long article with further details, references and photo.
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