John William Kaye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John William Kaye
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| Born | 3 June 1814 |
| Died | 24 July 1876 (aged 62) |
| Nationality | British |
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Notable work
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History of the War in Afghanistan, A History of the Sepoy War in India |
| Relatives | Sir Cecil Kaye (first cousin), M. M. Kaye (novelist, first cousin once removed) |
Sir John William Kaye (born June 3, 1814 – died July 24, 1876) was a British writer and government worker. He was known for writing important history books about wars in India. He also worked for the British government, helping to manage affairs in India.
Contents
Who Was Sir John William Kaye?
Sir John William Kaye was an important British historian and writer. He was born in London on June 3, 1814. His father, Charles Kaye, was a lawyer.
Early Life and Education
John went to two famous schools. From 1823 to 1826, he studied at Eton College. Later, from 1831 to 1832, he attended the Royal Military College, Addiscombe. These schools helped him prepare for a career in the military.
Starting His Career in India
After finishing school, John Kaye joined the Bengal Artillery in 1832. This was a part of the British army in India. He served as an officer there until 1841. During his time in India, he started to develop a love for writing. He wrote articles and stories, even while serving in the army.
In 1839, he married Mary Catherine. She was the daughter of Thomas Puckle.
Becoming a Full-Time Writer
In 1841, John Kaye decided to leave the army. He wanted to focus on writing full-time. He started by writing for newspapers like the Bengal Hurkaru, where he also worked as an editor.
In 1844, he started his own magazine called the Calcutta Review. He wrote about 50 articles for it. He also wrote a novel that was set in Afghanistan.
Writing About History
In 1845, Kaye moved back to England. He wanted to become a professional writer. He worked on a major book called History of the War in Afghanistan. This book told the story of the First Anglo-Afghan War. People really liked his book. Another historian, John Clark Marshman, said it was "the most interesting" book about British Indian history.
Working for the Government
In 1856, John Kaye started working for the British East India Company. This company used to rule India for Britain. He worked in a department that handled letters and important papers about India.
While working there, he wrote another very important book. It was called History of the Sepoy War in India. This book was about the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a big uprising in India. Many people still consider his book to be a very important source of information about this event.
Later, another writer named George Bruce Malleson updated and added to Kaye's book. It was then published in six volumes as Kaye and Malleson's History of the Indian Mutiny. This updated version was finished in 1890.
A High-Ranking Position
In 1858, the British government took over direct control of India from the East India Company. John Kaye became a Secretary in a special department. This department dealt with political and secret matters for the Secretary of State for India.
In 1866, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very respected group of scientists and thinkers. In 1871, he was given a special honor. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI). This meant he could use the title "Sir."
Sir John William Kaye retired in 1874 because he was not well. He passed away in London on July 24, 1876. A newspaper called the Athenaeum wrote that he was a "household word in the East." This meant he was very well-known and respected in India.
Major Works
Sir John William Kaye wrote several important books. His most famous ones include:
- History of the War in Afghanistan (1851)
- The History of the Sepoy War in India (1864–1876)
The History of the Sepoy War in India was later updated and continued by George Bruce Malleson. It was published in six volumes between 1888 and 1889. You can find a copy of this later work online.
Kaye also edited other books about Indian affairs. He often wrote for different magazines and newspapers.
Awards and Honors
Sir John William Kaye received several important awards for his work:
- 1866: He became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
- 1871: He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI).
