Michael Symes (diplomat) facts for kids
Michael Symes (1761–1809) was an important Irish soldier, diplomat, and politician. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which means he was a respected member of a famous scientific group.
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Early Life and Military Career
Michael Symes was born in Ireland in 1761. He was one of five sons of Richard Symes and Eleanor Cliffe. He went to college at Trinity College Dublin.
In 1780, Symes joined the East India Company Army. This was a powerful British company that controlled parts of India. He started as a cadet in the Bengal Army. He became a lieutenant in 1786. The next year, he joined the 76th Regiment of Foot and went back to India.
He worked for Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet in Madras in 1791. He became a captain in 1793. By 1800, he was a lieutenant-colonel.
Important Missions to Burma
In 1795, Michael Symes was sent on a special trip to Burma (now called Myanmar). He was sent by Sir John Shore, who was the Governor-General of India. His job was to help British traders and protect their interests there.
He met King Bodawpaya of Burma. Symes was able to get a royal order from the King. This order allowed a British agent to live in Rangoon (now Yangon). This agent would help British people living and working there. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, a botanist, went with him on this trip.
In 1800, Symes was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He went on a second mission to Burma in 1802. This time, he was sent by Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley. The Burmese governor of Arakan had demanded that people who had fled to British land be returned. Symes went to the capital city to protest this demand. He received a promise that the demand would be dropped. He returned to Calcutta in February 1803.
Later Life and Politics
Symes returned to England in 1806. He was not in good health after his time in India. He was recommended for a position in the government.
He became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Carlow in 1806. An MP is a person elected to represent people in the government. He lost this seat in the 1806 general election. He tried again and became an MP for Heytesbury in 1807. However, he lost this seat too in another election that same year.
In 1808, Symes was sent to Spain as a soldier. He served during a difficult military retreat led by Sir John Moore. The journey was very hard. Michael Symes died on his way home on a ship called the Mary. He passed away on January 22, 1809. His body was taken to Rochester, England, and buried there.
His Writings
Michael Symes wrote a book about his first trip to Burma. It was called An Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava sent by the Governal-General of India in 1795. It was published in London in 1800.
Family Life
While on leave in England, Michael Symes married Jemima Pilcher on February 18, 1801. She was from Rochester. After Symes died, his wife Jemima married Sir Joseph de Courcy Laffan, 1st Baronet. She passed away on August 18, 1835, at the age of 64.
