Henry Burney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Burney
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| Born | 27 February 1792 English |
| Died | 4 March 1845 (aged 53) Calcutta, India |
| Occupation | diplomat |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | English |
| Spouse | Janet Bannerman |
| Children | 13 |
Henry Burney (27 February 1792 – 4 March 1845) was an important British diplomat and traveler. He worked for the British East India Company. In Thailand, his name was known as Hantri Barani (Thai: หันตรีบารนี). He helped improve trade and relations between Britain and countries in Asia.
Contents
Early Life
Henry Burney was born in 1792. His father, Richard Thomas Burney, was a headmaster. He ran a school for orphans in Kidderpore. Henry was also the nephew of a famous English writer, Frances Burney.
Burney's Career as a Diplomat
In 1807, Henry Burney joined the East India Company. This company was very powerful. It managed trade and even ruled parts of India for Britain.
Early Roles
In 1818, Burney got married to Janet Bannerman. That same year, he received several important jobs. He became a lieutenant in the Bengal Native Infantry. He also worked as a military secretary for Governor Bannerman in Penang.
Working in Burma and Siam
Later, Burney became an agent for the East India Company. He collected information about Burma and Siam (modern-day Thailand). He shared this information with England. He also took part in the First Anglo–Burmese War (1823–1826).
In 1825, Burney was chosen as a special envoy to Siam. The next year, he met King Rama III of Siam. They signed an important agreement called the Burney Treaty. This treaty helped increase trade between Siam and Europe. They also agreed on a border between Siam and British-controlled Burma. However, the exact border at Three Pagodas Pass was still debated.
Diplomatic Work in Burma
From 1829, Burney served as the British envoy to King Bagyidaw's court. This court was in Ava, Burma. He successfully negotiated for the Kabaw Valley to be returned to Burma from Manipur.
By 1834, Henry Burney had become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Bengal army.
Personal Life
Henry Burney married Janet Bannerman in 1818. Janet was the niece of Governor John Alexander Bannerman. They got married in George Town, which is in Malaya.
Henry and Janet had a large family. They had 13 children together. Eight of their children were still alive when Henry Burney passed away in 1845.
Henry Burney died at sea in 1845. He was on his way home from Rangoon because he was sick. He was buried in Mission Burial Ground in Calcutta.
