Catherine Macartney facts for kids
Catherine Theodora, Lady Macartney (born February 20, 1876 – died January 13, 1951) was an amazing British woman who lived in a faraway land called Kashgar. She was known for her travels and for writing about her experiences. Catherine was born in Bexley Heath, England. Her maiden name was Borland. In 1898, she married Sir George Macartney, who was the British Consul in Kashgar. A consul is like a special representative for a country in another land.
Contents
Life in Faraway Kashgar
Catherine Macartney spent many years living in Kashgar, a city in Central Asia. At that time, Kashgar was a very important place for trade and travel between different countries. Her husband, Sir George Macartney, worked there as a British Consul. This meant he represented Britain and helped British citizens in the region.
A Special Connection
Interestingly, Catherine's father, James Borland, had studied in Scotland with George Macartney's father, Halliday Macartney. This shows a long-standing connection between their families even before Catherine and George met and married.
Incredible Journeys and Adventures
Life in Kashgar involved a lot of travel. In 1915, another famous couple, Percy Sykes and Ella Sykes, came to Kashgar to take over from the Macartneys.
Crossing High Mountains
The journey for the Sykes family to reach Kashgar took more than a month. When it was time for Catherine and George to return home, their journey also took a month. These trips were very difficult. They involved crossing huge mountains and vast lands. Ella Sykes became the first British woman to cross a very high mountain pass called "Katta Dawan," which was 13,000 feet high! These journeys were captured in many photographs.
Helping Discover Ancient History
Catherine Macartney was also interested in history and discovery. She helped archaeologists who found the famous Dunhuang manuscripts. These are very old writings and artworks found in caves along the Silk Road. Her help was important for preserving these ancient treasures.
Sharing Her Story
Catherine wrote a book about her time in Kashgar. Her memoirs, which are like a personal diary of her experiences, were published in 1931. This book lets us learn about what life was like for her in Central Asia.
Her Family and Later Life
Catherine and Sir George Macartney had three children. Their names were Eric Borland Macartney (1903–1994), Sylvia Theodora Macartney (1906–1950), and Robin Halliday Macartney (1911–1973).
A Baby's Long Journey
Their first child, Eric, was born in England. This happened just before the Macartneys were due to go back to Kashgar. Lady Macartney, with a nurse to help her, traveled with her newborn baby all the way through Central Asia to Kashgar. Imagine taking a baby on such a long and challenging journey!
Final Years
Lady Macartney passed away in Charminster, England, in 1951. This was just two weeks after her daughter, Sylvia, had also passed away. She is buried with her husband and her two younger children in a churchyard on the Isle of Jersey.
Images for kids
-
The British Consulate-General in Kashgar in 1915
