George Greene (traveller) facts for kids

George Greene was a traveler, a manager of land, and a writer. He was born in 1747 or 1748. He is known for writing about his experiences during the French Revolution and his travels.

Early Life and Challenges

In 1787, George Greene faced a big challenge. A court decision caused him to lose most of his money. This made it hard for him to find work in his home country.

Because he needed a job, in 1790, he got a special recommendation. Lord Adam Gordon suggested him for a position. George Greene became a land-steward for the Prince of Monaco. A land-steward is like a manager who takes care of a large estate. Greene worked on the Prince's estate in Torigny, a place in Lower Normandy, France.

Imprisonment During the Revolution

Life in France became very difficult during the French revolution. From October 1793 to January 1795, George Greene was arrested. He was imprisoned with his wife, Isabella, and their five children. They were held in the castle at Torigny.

After this difficult time, the Duke of Valentinois, who was the Prince of Monaco's son, got his castle back. In February 1796, he hired George Greene again as his land-steward.

More Trouble and Release

However, Greene's job didn't last long. In September 1797, there was a sudden political takeover in France. This event, called a coup d'état, caused him to lose his job once more.

In 1798, Greene went to Paris. He tried to get permission to go back to England, but he couldn't. He returned to Torigny and was arrested again in July 1798. He was held in a prison in St. Lo until December 1799. Finally, in February 1800, George Greene was allowed to return to England.

Greene's Writings and Travels

To help with his money problems, George Greene decided to publish a book. In 1802, he released a book about his experiences. It was called 'A Relation of several Circumstances which occurred in the Province of Lower Normandy during the Revolution.' The book shared details about his time in prison. It also described the customs and life of people in Lower Normandy.

Later, George Greene lived in Russia. He continued his travels and writing. In 1813, he published another book. This one was called 'Journal from London to St. Petersburg by way of Sweden.' It described his journey from England to Russia. People knew he was still alive in 1816, as mentioned in a book about living authors.