YOUNGHUSBAND, Francis Edward

YOUNGHUSBAND, Francis Edward. Murree, Rawalpindi dt. 31.5.1863 — Lytchett Minster, Dorset 31.7.1942. Sir. British Colonial Officer, Diplomat, 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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