Charles James (British Army officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles James
Charles James, aged 49
Born	1757/8
Died	14 April 1821
Allegiance	Great Britain United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1793–1812
Rank	Major

Charles James (born around 1757 or 1758, died in 1821) was an English army officer and a writer who wrote about many different topics. He held the rank of Major in the British Army.

Life of Charles James

Charles James was in a town called Lisle in France when the French Revolution began. This was a big change in France's government and society. He traveled alone through France during this time. He later wrote about his experiences in a book called Audi alteram Partem.

He served as a captain in the Western Regiment of Middlesex Militia from 1793 to 1794. A militia is a group of citizens who are trained to be soldiers but are not part of the regular army. He then became a captain in the North York Militia from 1795 to 1797.

In 1806, he was made a Major in the Corps of Artillery Drivers. This group worked with the Royal Artillery, which used cannons and other big guns. He was placed on half-pay in 1812. This means he received half his usual salary because his rank was removed.

After his military service, James lived in London. He passed away in London on April 14, 1821, when he was 63 years old. He was buried at St. Mary's Church in Paddington Green.

Charles James's Writings

Collège en Isle, Liège (1740)

St. Mary's, Paddington Green (1853)

Charles James was a very busy writer. He wrote many books and papers on different subjects. Here are some of his notable works:

1. Petrarch to Laura: a Poetical Epistle, published in 1787. This was a long poem.
2. Tarere, an opera. He translated this from a French play by Beaumarchais in 1787.
3. Poems, a collection of his poems published in two volumes in 1789. Some of these poems he wrote when he was still in school.
4. Audi alteram Partem, published in 1793. This book explained his views on the French Revolution. He updated it in 1796.
5. Regimental Companion, first published in 1799. This was a helpful guide about the duties of every officer in the British Army. It was very popular and had many new editions.
6. New and enlarged Military Dictionary, published in 1802. This was a dictionary of military terms, including French words. It was also updated several times.
7. Military Costumes of India, published in 1813. This book showed how to perform military exercises for soldiers in India.
8. Collection of Court-Martial Charges, published in 1820. This book was about the rules for military trials.

He also wrote other books about improving the militia and the army's system for court-martial charges.