James George Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James George Scott
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J. G. Scott at Fort Stedman, 1889
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| Born | 25 December 1851 Dairsie, Scotland
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| Died | 4 April 1935 (aged 83) |
| Other names | Shway Yoe |
| Occupation | Journalist, colonial administrator |
| Spouse(s) | Geraldine Mitton |
| Relatives | Robert Forsyth Scott |
Sir James George Scott (born December 25, 1851 – died April 4, 1935) was a Scottish journalist and government official. He used the pen name Shway Yoe. He played a part in setting up British rule in Burma (now Myanmar). He also brought the sport of football to Burma.
Contents
Early Life and Journalism
James George Scott was born in Dairsie, Scotland. His father, Rev. George Scott, was a Presbyterian minister. After his father passed away, James and his older brother, Robert Forsyth Scott, moved with their mother to Stuttgart, Germany. They returned to the United Kingdom because of the Austro-Prussian War.
Scott went to King's College School and then Lincoln College, Oxford. However, he could not finish his studies because his family lost their money.
He started his career as a journalist. He wrote for the London Evening Standard from Perak in 1875. Later, he reported from Burma for the Daily News and the St James's Gazette. He lived in Burma until 1882. During this time, he also worked as a schoolmaster and briefly as a headmaster at St John's College in Rangoon.
His most famous book, The Burman: his life and notions, was published during this period. He wrote it using his pen name, Shway Yoe. The book helped people in London understand life in Burma.
Colonial Administrator
In 1884, Scott became a full-time journalist again. He reported on the French invasion of Tonkin (now northern Vietnam) for the Evening Standard. This is when he began collecting old papers, documents, and other items. This collection is now known as the Scott Collection at Cambridge University Library.
When the British took control of Upper Burma, Scott was asked to join the Burma Commission. This was the start of the British government service in the area. He returned to Burma in 1886. He worked as a Deputy Commissioner, helping to manage different areas. In 1901, he received a special honor and was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE). This meant he was given the title "Sir."
A book called The Trouser People tells about Scott's adventures. It describes how he explored new jungles to help the British set up their rule in the Shan States. The main office was first at Fort Stedman and then moved to Taunggyi.
Scott also wrote more than 15 articles for the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica.
His collection of old papers and documents was given to Cambridge University Library in 1934. His photographs and some of his diaries are kept at the India Office Library.
The famous Bogyoke Market in Rangoon was once called "Scott Market." However, it was not named after James George Scott. It was named after a different official, Mr. Gavin Scott, who worked there from 1922 to 1930.
Family Life
James George Scott was married three times. His third wife was the writer Geraldine Mitton. She wrote a book about his life after he passed away.
Published Books
- 1882 The Burman: His Life and Notions (under the name Shway Yoe)
- 1885 France and Tongking
- 1900-1901 Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States. (5 books)
- 1906 Burma: a handbook of practical information
- 1908 Cursed Luck
- 1911 Wholly Without Morals: A Romance of Indo-Burman Life and Racing (under the name Shway Dinga)
- 1924 Burma: from the earliest times to the present day
- 1932 Burma and beyond
Books written with G. E. Mitton
- 1913 In the Grip of the Wild Wa
- 1922 The Green Moth
- 1923 A Frontier Man
- 1924 Under an Eastern Sky
