Charles Mackenzie (diplomat) facts for kids
Charles Kenneth Mackenzie (1788–1862) was a Scottish diplomat, writer, and journalist. He traveled widely and wrote about his experiences.
Life of Charles Kenneth Mackenzie
Charles Kenneth Mackenzie was born in 1788. His father, Kenneth Francis Mackenzie, had business interests in the West Indies. He even served as a leader in Grenada during a time of rebellion. Charles's brother was Colin Mackenzie, who became an officer in the Indian Army.
Charles studied at the University of Edinburgh. There, he became friends with James Cowles Prichard. Later, he served in the Peninsular War. In 1815, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group that recognizes important scientists. After his war service, he worked as an editor for a newspaper called Albion.
He then became a diplomat, working for his country in different places. He served in Mexico, Haiti, and Cuba. In Haiti, he also gathered important information for his government. When he returned to England, he wrote for The Metropolitan Magazine.
Later in his life, Charles Mackenzie lived mostly in the United States. He died there on July 6, 1862. He passed away in a fire at the Rainbow Hotel in New York City. Charles Mackenzie also collected plants for famous botanists August Grisebach and William Jackson Hooker.
Works and Writings
Charles Mackenzie wrote a two-volume book called Notes on Haiti. He based this book on his time as the British consul in Haiti from 1826 to 1827. The book included facts about the economy and his observations about society. Parts of his book were later used by John Brown Russwurm. This helped to share information about the Haitian Revolution.
- Mackenzie, Charles. Notes on Haïti, made during a residence in that Republic, Vol. 1, London, Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830. Manioc
- Mackenzie, Charles. Notes on Haïti, made during a residence in that Republic, Vol. 2, London, Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830. Manioc
Mackenzie also wrote for other well-known publications. These included the Edinburgh Review, the Quarterly Review, and the Encyclopædia Britannica.
