MOORCROFT, William. Ormskirk, Lancashire 1765 — Andkhui, Afghanistan 25.8.1825. British Veterinary Surgeon and Traveller in North-West India. Born as illegitimate son of Ann M., daughter of a local farmer, educated in “Liverpool as a surgeon, studied veterinary science in France [Lyon]. Made a fortune by his veterinary practice in London,…
MILDENHALL (Midnall), John. Little Bedwell, Wiltshire 1560 (?) — Ajmer June 1614. British Traveller in India, self-styled envoy of the E.I.C. to Mughal Court in 1603. Son of Sir John M. Being a London merchant, he travelled on his own account, without any official position, although he often pretended the…
MARTIN, François. Paris 1634 — Pondichéry 31.12.1706. French Traveller in India. Illegitimate son of a wealthy spice merchant, after his death had to work as shop assistant. In 1663 joined the French E.I.C., served first in Madagascar, from 1668 in India, soon in charge of the factory in Masulipatan. In…
MARSHALL, John. 16?? — 1677. British Traveller in India. Studies at Cambridge (M.A. Christ’s College). Employed by E.I.C. in India from 1668, apparently died there. Served in Bengal and under Job Charnock in Patna. Made a great number of notes on Indian customs, religion, etc., which were published only in the…
MARSDEN, William. Verval, county Wicklow, Ireland 16.11.1754 — Aldenham, Herefordshire 6.10.1836. British Pioneer of South-East Asian Studies and Numismatician. Son of John M., an English merchant in Dublin, and Eleanor Bagnall. “Educated at Dublin schools, went out as a writer in the E. I. Co.’s service to Bencoolen in Sumatra,…
MARKHAM, Clements Robert. Stillingfleet, Yorkshire 20.7.1830 — London 30.1.1916. Sir. British Traveller and Geographer. Son of Rev. David Frederick Markham (1800–1853) and Catherine Milner. “Educated at Cheam and Westminster, entered the Navy in 1844. Served in the Arctic expedition, 1850-1, retired from the Navy, 1852. Travelled in Peru, 1852-5, introduced…
MANUCCI (MANNUCCI, MANUZZI), Niccolo. Venice 19.4.1638 — Madras 1717. Italian Traveller in India. Son of Pasqualino M. and Rosa Bellini. He run away from his Venetian home in the age of 14 in 1653, became servant to Viscount Bellemont and travelled via Smyrna, Isfahan, Gombron and by ship to Surat…
MANRIQUE, Sebastião (Sebastien). Porto 1590? — London 1669. Portuguese Augustinian monk and Missionary in India. Came early to Goa. Arriving in ship from Goa in 1612 he started with three other missionaries the catholic mission in Bengal. During 13 years in India he saw and described many little known places. From…
MANNING, Thomas. Broome, Norfolk 8.11.1772 — Bath 2.5.1840 [Wikipedia near Dartfors 1840]. British Physician and Traveller in Asia, visited Lhasa. Buckland (with additions):“Son of the Rev. William M. [and Elizabeth Adams], educated at Caius College, Cambridge. Scholar, 1790-95, private tutor, studied mathematics, friend of Porson and Charles Lamb. Studied Chinese…
MANDELSLO, Johann Albrecht von (Johan Albert von M.). Schönberg, Mecklenburg 15.5.1616 — Paris 16.5.1644. German Traveller in India. Son of Hermann Clamor von Mandelslo (1573–1648), an administrator, and Anna Pflug. Started 1636 his travels together with his friend Adam Olearius (1599–1671) in Holstenian embassy to Persia, on his own he…