Thomas Shaw (divine and traveller) facts for kids
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Thomas Shaw (1694–1751) was an English priest and explorer. He is famous for his detailed writings about his travels in North Africa and the Middle East.
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Who Was Thomas Shaw?
Thomas Shaw was born around 1694 in Kendal, Westmorland, England. He went to a local grammar school and then studied at The Queen's College, Oxford. He earned his master's degree in 1719.
Shaw's Adventures as a Chaplain
After becoming a priest, Shaw was chosen to be a chaplain. This meant he would serve at a trading post in Algiers, North Africa. He lived there for about 12 years, from 1720 to 1732.
During his time in North Africa, Shaw traveled a lot. He explored many places, including Algiers, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, and Arabia. He made sure to write down everything he saw and learned.
How Shaw Mapped His Journeys
Shaw was very careful about recording his travels. He made simple daily surveys to measure distances. From these notes, he drew maps that were included in his books.
He also used old maps and writings to help him. He looked at the Itinerary of Antoninus, which was a Roman travel guide. He also studied the works of Al Idrissi, an Arab mapmaker from the 12th century. This helped him understand the geography of the areas he visited.
Returning Home and New Roles
Shaw came back to England in 1733. He earned his doctor's degree and became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of important scientists and thinkers.
In 1740, he became the head of St Edmund Hall at Oxford University. He also taught Greek there. He was also the priest for the village of Bramley, Hampshire. He held these jobs until he passed away in 1751.
Shaw's Famous Books
Thomas Shaw is best known for his book, Travels in Barbary and the Levant. The first version was printed in Oxford in 1738. This book shared all his amazing adventures and discoveries.
Why Shaw's Work Became Important Later
Shaw's book became very popular again in the 1800s. This was especially true when France began to take control of Algiers in 1830. France needed information about the area.
It turned out that Shaw's book had some of the most recent details about Algeria. His descriptions of the land and people were very helpful. Because of this, his book was used by the French army during their expedition.
Shaw's Legacy Today
Today, Thomas Shaw is actually more well-known in France than in his home country of England. His detailed writings continue to be a valuable source of information about North Africa and the Middle East in the 18th century.
