William Cornwallis Harris facts for kids
Major Sir William Cornwallis Harris (born in 1807 – died in 1848) was an English military engineer, an artist, and a hunter. He is known for his detailed drawings of African wildlife and his travels.
Contents
Life and Adventures
Early Years
William Cornwallis Harris was born in Kent, England. When he was fourteen, he joined the Addiscombe Military Seminary, a school for training military engineers. In 1823, he became a second lieutenant in the army of the East India Company.
For the next thirteen years, he worked in different parts of India. During this time, he developed a strong interest in outdoor sports and drawing wild animals. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1824 and to captain in 1834.
Exploring South Africa
In June 1836, Harris traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, to get better after a fever. He stayed there for two years. He met Dr. Andrew Smith, who had just returned from a trip to visit a leader named Mzilikazi.
Harris planned a hunting trip from 1836 to 1837 with William Richardson. They sailed to Algoa Bay and then went to Grahamstown. Here, they prepared for their journey and got advice from ivory traders.
Their route took them across the Orange River to Kuruman. There, they met Robert Moffat, a missionary who was friends with Mzilikazi. Moffat gave Harris helpful information about the leader. Mzilikazi was happy to receive Harris's gifts, and the group confidently set off towards the Magaliesberg mountains.
In the Magaliesberg, Harris saw his first sable antelope. He sent a description and a sample of the animal to the Zoological Society of London. Harris was one of the first to draw large African animals accurately. He was very passionate about the places he visited and drew the animals he saw with great care. His paintings and sketches are full of charm and life, and they have greatly helped us understand natural history art.
Return to India
After his time in South Africa, Harris went back to India in late 1837. For the next three years, he continued his work as an engineer in Western India.
Mission to Ethiopia
From 1841 to 1843, Harris led a British diplomatic mission from Bombay to Sahle Selassie, who was the ruler of Shewa, a region in Ethiopia. They worked to create a trade agreement and also gathered a lot of scientific information during their journey.
Harris was good at understanding the local culture. He wrote down a praise song sung by a female singer (Azmari) at Sahle Selassie's court, which showed the ruler's power and how people felt about his enemies.
In stature like the lance he bears,
His godlike mien the prince declares;
And famed for virtue through the land,
All bow to Saloo's just command.
The sabre feels the royal grasp,
And Pagans writhe in death's cold clasp;
The Galla taste the captive fare,
And dread the vengeance which they dare.
Later Years
Harris was made a major in 1843. The next year, he was knighted in England for his important work. After being knighted, he worked as an engineer in Dharwar Dion and Poona in India. He died near Poona in 1848, at the age of 41, due to a fever.
Family Life
William Cornwallis Harris married Margaret Sligo. They did not have any children.
Books by William Cornwallis Harris
- Narrative of an Expedition into Southern Africa during the years 1836 and 1837. (1838)
- The Wild sports of Southern Africa (1839).
- Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa (1840).
- The Highlands of Aethiopia (1844; in 3 volumes).
- Illustrations of the Highlands of Aethiopia [1845].
See also
- List of famous big game hunters
