James Capper facts for kids
James Capper (born 1743, died 1825) was a British army officer. He worked for the East India Company, which was a big trading company with its own army. James Capper was also known for his writing and for studying the weather, which is what a meteorologist does.
About James Capper
James Capper was born on December 15, 1743. He had an older brother named Francis Capper. James went to a famous school called Harrow School.
When he was young, James joined the East India Company. This company was very powerful and had its own army in India. James Capper became a high-ranking officer, reaching the rank of colonel. For a while, he was in charge of checking all the money for the army and building defenses on the Coromandel coast in India.
After many years in the army, Capper retired. He moved to South Wales and lived at a place called Cathays House. There, he became very interested in studying the weather and farming. Later, he moved to Norfolk in England. He passed away on September 6, 1825, at Ditchingham Lodge, near Bungay.
James Capper's Writings
James Capper wrote several books and papers. They often shared his travel experiences or his studies about weather and farming.
- Observations on the Passage to India through Egypt (1784 and 1785): This book described his travels to India through Egypt. It also talked about journeys to other places like Vienna and Baghdad. The book included details from the travels of George Matcham. Another writer, John Taylor, used Capper's ideas from this book to suggest a way to send mail to India over land in 1795.
- Observations on the Winds and Monsoons (1801): In this book, Capper shared his thoughts on winds and monsoons, which are seasonal winds. He even included a map. In 1801, Capper suggested that hurricanes were a type of circular storm, like a giant whirlwind.
- Observations on the Cultivation of Waste Lands (1805): This writing was about how to use land that wasn't being farmed. It was written for farmers and landowners in Glamorganshire, Wales.
- Meteorological and Miscellaneous Tracts (1809): This book contained different writings about weather, especially how it relates to sailing, gardening, and farming. It also included calendars showing when different plants bloom in places like Greece, France, England, and Sweden.
His Family
James Capper was married to Mary Johnson. They had several children. Their oldest daughter, Marianne, married a man named Robert Clutterbuck. Another daughter, Louisa (1776–1840), also became a well-known writer.
