BOWER, Hamilton St.Clair. Portsea Island, Hampshire 1.9.1858 — North Berwick, East Lothian 5.3.1940. Sir. British (Scottish) Colonial Officer and Traveller in Central Asia. Son of Admiral James Paterson B. and Barbara Hickson (from Ireland). Educated in Edinburgh and at Royal Naval School. Served in British India from 1884. As an intelligence officer (Lieutenant) in 1889-90 he pursued the murdererof —> A. Dalgliesh from Yarkand to the region of Kucha and there found the famous Bower Manuscript, then deciphered and published by Hoernle. Soon after this visited Tibet. In 1901-06 served in Peking Legation Guard, in 1908-14 commanding Assam Brigade. Served long time in India, retired 1914 as Major General. Participated as volunteer officer in WW I. Married 1894 Mary Sherrard, then 1899 (?) Maud Edith Ainslie, three daughters.
Publications: Diary of a Journey across Tibet. 329 p. Calcutta 1893/Simla 1894.
– “A Trip to Turkestan”, Geogr. Journal 1895, 241-257; a few further publications.
Sources: Scottish Biography and Who Was Who in Br. Biogr. Arch. 2nd ser.; Hopkirk 1987, 45f.; Wikipedia (with small photo).
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