William Francklin facts for kids

William Francklin (born 1763, died 1839) was an English expert in Eastern cultures and a brave army officer. He spent many years in India, where he learned a lot about the local languages, history, and customs.

Early Life and Becoming a Soldier

William Francklin was the oldest son of Thomas Francklin. He went to Westminster School in 1777. Later, in 1781, he was chosen to study at Trinity College, Cambridge.

However, William decided he wanted to join the army instead of continuing his studies. In 1782, he joined the East India Company's army as a cadet. This company was a powerful British trading company that also had its own army in India.

He quickly moved up the ranks:

• He became an ensign (a junior officer) in 1783.
• He was promoted to lieutenant in 1789.
• He became a captain in 1796.
• He reached the rank of major in 1808.
• Finally, he became a lieutenant-colonel in 1814.

In 1815, he retired from active service due to health reasons. He then worked as a regulating officer in Bhagalpur, India. He fully retired from the army in India in December 1825. William Francklin passed away on April 12, 1839, when he was 76 years old.

Exploring Eastern Cultures: William Francklin's Studies

Besides being a respected army officer, William Francklin was also very famous for his knowledge of Eastern cultures. People called him an "orientalist" because he studied the languages, history, and traditions of countries like Persia and India.

His Journey to Persia

In 1786, Francklin traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran). He lived with a Persian family in a city called Shiraz for eight months. This experience allowed him to learn a lot about the daily lives and customs of the people. He wrote a detailed journal about his trip, which was published in 1788. It gave people in Europe a much better understanding of Persian culture than before.

Books and Writings

Francklin wrote many important books and articles about his studies:

• Observations made on a Tour from Bengal to Persia (1788): This was his journal from his trip to Persia, including details about the ancient palace of Persepolis.
• The History of the Reign of Shah-Aulum (1798): This book continued the history of India, focusing on the rule of Emperor Shah Alam II.
• The Loves of Camarúpa and Cámalatà (1793): This was an old Indian story that he translated from Persian.
• Remarks and Observations on the Plain of Troy (1800): He wrote this after visiting the famous ancient city of Troy.
• Military Memoirs of Mr. George Thomas (1803): This book told the story of George Thomas, a soldier who became a general in India.
• Tracts, Political, Geographical, and Commercial (1811): This work discussed the areas of Ava (modern-day Myanmar) and parts of India.
• Miscellaneous Remarks (1813): This included notes on the geography of Susiana and the ancient city of Pataliputra in India.
• Inquiry concerning the Site of ancient Palibothra (1815–1822): A deeper study into the location of Pataliputra.
• Researches on the Tenets and Doctrines of the Jeynes and Boodhists (1827): This book explored the beliefs of Jainism and Buddhism. It also included a discussion about serpent worship in different parts of the world.

He also wrote articles for important academic journals. For example, he wrote about the state of Delhi in 1795. He also translated an account of a grand festival held by the famous leader Timur.

Other Activities and Connections

In 1837, William Francklin helped publish a historical play written by his father, called Mary Queen of Scots.

He was also a good friend and wrote many letters to Dean Vincent, who was his teacher at Westminster School. Dean Vincent even mentioned Francklin in the introduction to one of his own important books.

William Francklin was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, a group dedicated to studying Asia. In his later years, he served as their librarian and was part of their council. He was also a member of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, another important group for Asian studies in India.