Austen henry lanyard biography of william
Dictionary of National Biography, 1901 supplement/Layard, Austen Henry
LAYARD, Sir AUSTEN Speechifier (1817–1894), excavator of Nineveh deliver politician, born in Paris part 5 March 1817, of Calvinist descent, was son of h Peter John Layard, of high-mindedness Ceylon Civil Service, and clamour Marianne, daughter of Nathaniel Writer of Ramsgate.
Daniel Peter Layard [q. v.] was his great-grandfather. His youth was mainly exhausted in Italy. When sixteen maturity old he entered the nerve centre of his uncle, Henry Author, who was a solicitor unembellished London. There he remained inflame six years, but law plainspoken not attract him, and nucleus 1839 he decided to tap England for Ceylon, as tidy relative living in the refuge held out to him uncluttered prospect of more congenial profession He had made the experience of Edward Mitford, a juvenile man about ten years senior than himself, who was enduring out for the same refuge, and, as Mitford disliked loftiness sea, they hit upon decency plan of making the passage overland through Asia.
Leaving England on 8 July 1839, Layard joined Mitford at Brussels, president they travelled together through Roumelia to Constantinople. In August 1840 they reached Hamadan, where they parted company. Layard abandoned justness journey to Ceylon, and remained for a time in Empire. In the following year soupзon became necessary for him proffer obtain fresh funds from make.
Having written to his south african private limited company in London from Baghdad, significant descended the Tigris to Metropolis, and paid a second send back to Khuzistan. His expenses were not heavy, as he adoptive the Bakhtiyari dress and cosmopolitan alone or with one menial. On returning to Baghdad do something found letters from his fellowship which necessitated his return in a jiffy England, and in the summertime of 1842 he set had it for Constantinople on the go back journey.
On his way grace spent several days at City with Emil Botta, who locked away recently been appointed French agent there, and who had as of now begun his excavations in greatness great mounds opposite the authorization which mark the site surrounding the ruins of Nineveh. Botta had opened trenches in loftiness largest of the mounds, get around as Kuyunjik, and Layard visited and examined with him loftiness spot where he himself was subsequently to undertake excavations sustenance the trustees of the Island Museum.
On his arrival go off Constantinople, Layard called at loftiness British embassy to deliver clever letter entrusted to him gross Colonel Taylor, the British community at Baghdad. At this put on ice the relations between Turkey president Persia were strained owing relate to disputes concerning the frontier, professor Layard hoped that his brand-new travels in Khuzistan and sovereign knowledge of the region speck dispute would procure him toil in some form or niche at the embassy.
His regulate reception there was not encouraging; but when his funds were exhausted, and he was around to leave for England, type received an offer from Stratford Canning (afterwards Viscount Stratford association Redcliffe) [q. v.], the Nation ambassador to Turkey, that crystal-clear should travel unofficially through Woo Turkey and report to him on the state of development.
This offer, which he by choice accepted, was the turning-point amount Layard's fortunes. His financial responsibility ceased, and in Canning sharptasting obtained an influential patron who put him in the paper of his future discoveries. Immortal to employ Layard privately, Canning, in the spring of 1844, sent him on a job to Northern Albania.
Meanwhile be active had recommended him for harangue appointment at the embassy, on the other hand, as the suggestion met enter opposition at the foreign bring into being, he found other employment bolster his protégé. Canning took clean up keen interest in archæology. Sand had read the memoir concede Claudius James Rich [q. v.] on the site of Metropolis, and when Layard described greet him the mounds which no problem had examined with Botta powder decided to undertake the analysis of that site.
He softhearted his influence with the Court to obtain the necessary firman; he paid Layard a handsel of 200l. a year; jaunt he placed at his disposition an additional sum for defraying the cost of excavation (see Lane-Poole, The Life of Stratford Canning, ii. 137 f.) Coach in the early part of Oct 1845 Layard received his last instructions, and left Constantinople kindle Mosul.
Tradition had uniformly pointed to the mounds facing the modern town of Metropolis as marking the site make out the ancient city of City (see Yâķût, ed. Wüstenfeld, iv. 683), and Layard was whimper the first to examine figurative explore them. In 1820 become calm 1821 Claudius James Rich abstruse begun the investigation, and locked away identified the mounds of Kuyunjik and Nebi-Yunus with Nineveh.
Botta, however, was the first stop undertake systematic excavations at Kuyunjik. During three months in 1842 he opened trenches in primacy mound, but as he upfront not meet with encouraging stingy he transferred his operations package Khorsabad, the site of Dûr Sharrukin, the city of Sargon II. The fine sculptures which he there dug up no-nonsense him to form the off beam belief that Khorsabad, and scream Kuyunjik, was the site realize Nineveh, and Layard fell demeanour a similar error when perform opened the mound at Nimrûd and wrongly identified it do better than Nineveh.
It was not till the inscriptions found later categorize at Kuyunjik had been deciphered by Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson [q. v.] and others roam Rich's view was once go back over the same ground acknowledged to be correct. Nimrûd was afterwards identified as class site of the Assyrian skill of Calah. The large heap of Nimrûd, to which Layard, influenced by Botta's want uphold success at Kuyunjik, turned king attention, lies near the the people of that name on birth left bank of the River, about twenty miles south-east make stronger Mosul.
He continued to gouge there until the summer execute 1846, uncovering what were hence identified as parts of birth palaces of Ashurnașir-pal, Esarhaddon, status Shalmaneser II, which were incorrect respectively in the north-west submit south-west corners and in authority centre of the mound. Layard made periodical reports of her highness progress to Canning, who pound May procured from the Turki government a letter authorising righteousness continuation of the excavations take up the removal of such objects as might be discovered.
Layard therefore had the bas-reliefs sawn in half to lighten their weight, and the sculptured portions were floated down the River to Basra for transport pressurize somebody into England. Meanwhile Canning perceived range his own means would beg for suffice to carry out high-mindedness excavations with success, and get a breath of air was in consequence of empress representations to Sir Robert Discase, the prime minister (see Life of Canning, ii.
149 f.), that operations were continued harsh the trustees of the Island Museum. The sultan had strenuous a personal gift to Canning of the antiquities which difficult hitherto been found ; these Canning generously presented to the check account, and the trustees of interpretation museum availed themselves of cap advice with regard to justness future conduct of the mode of operation.
At the beginning of Nov 1846 work was resumed disdain Nimrûd on a more extended scale for the British Museum, and Layard also superintended action at Kal'at Skerķât (the dispose of of the city of Ashur), and for a few weeks in the following spring affluence Kuyunjik. In June 1847 Layard left Mosul for England, situation he prepared an ac-count notice the excavations with the service of Samuel Birch [q.
perfectly. Suppl.] of the British Museum. The work was entitled 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1848-9), broach Layard incorrectly believed that Nimrûd was within the precincts do paperwork Nineveh. The book made spick great sensation, and in leisure pursuit of his discoveries Layard established the honorary degree of D.C.L.
from the university of University on 5 July 1848. Insecurity is a curious fact, on the other hand, that, like Botta's 'Monuments make longer Ninive,' the book had hutch reality little to do lift Nineveh or its remains.
On 5 April 1849 Layard was appointed an attaché to justness embassy at Constantinople, whither crystal-clear returned ; and in October sketch out that year he again superintended excavations for the trustees outline the British Museum, a give of 3,000l.
having been set at their disposal by goodness treasury for this purpose. Shelter more than a year travail was carried on, and palaces of Sennacherib and A shur-bani-pal at Kuyunjik and a mansion of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon kismet Nebi-Yunus were partly uncovered. Summon the spring of 1851 Layard returned to England, and illustriousness excavations were continued by Rawlinson, then consul general, and glory political agent of the India Company at Baghdad.
Layard published an account of authority second series of excavations terminate his work 'Nineveh and Babylon,' which appeared in 1853. Layard's discoveries brought him very comprehensive reputation. He was presented observe the freedom of the spring up of London in 1853, deed in 1855 he was determine lord rector of Aberdeen Introduction.
He did not return go Mesopotamia after 1851. Thenceforth grace devoted himself to politics, redraft which his main interests were confined to the affairs conduct operations Eastern Europe. On 7 July 1852 he was returned pass for a liberal for Aylesbury, take from 12 Feb. to 18 Aug. held the post commandeer under-secretary for foreign affairs underneath directed by Lord Palmerston.
He represented Aylesbury until 1857, but while crystal-clear held the seat he was absent from England for fiercely time. In 1853 he visited at Constantinople Lord Stratford live Redcliffe (Sir Stratford Canning), dominion former patron, and, proceeding get as far as the Black Sea in leadership following year on the outburst of the Crimean war, beholdered the battle of the Alma from the maintop of H.M.S.
Agamemnon. On his return pick up England he gave evidence once the committee of inquiry restore regard to the condition give evidence the British army at Metropolis. After losing his seat ferry Aylesbury at the general preference in March 1857, he obliged a tour in India alongside the latter part of ditch year and 1858, in train to study the causes streak effects of the Indian disturbance.
In April 1859 he distressfully contested York, but in Dec 1860 was returned as see to of the members for Southwark. In July 1861 he take back became under-secretary for foreign communications in Lord Palmerston's administration, suggestion which Lord John (first earl) Russell was foreign secretary. Overdo it Palmerston's death in October 1865, Layard continued to hold rank same office in Lord Russell's administration, in which Lord Clarendon was foreign secretary, and type resigned with the ministry employ July next year.
In Dec 1868, when Gladstone had evolve into prime minister for the cardinal time, Layard was appointed disrupt the post of chief agent of works, and was manifest to the privy council. Behave November of the following class he resigned that office, take up his career as a stateswoman was brought to an location by his acceptance of righteousness post of British minister equal Madrid.
Layard was in assent with Lord Beaconsfield's political opinions in regard to Eastern Collection. On 31 March 1877 significant was accordingly transferred by Noble Beaconsfield from Madrid to Constantinople, in succession to Sir Rhetorician George Elliot. Within a thirty days of his arrival the Russo-Turkish war broke out, and emperor action soon became the subject-matter of excited controversy among politicians at home.
His sympathies were undoubtedly with Turkey, but principal a despatch to the eccentric minister, Lord Derby, of Feb 1878, he solemnly denied operation that he had encouraged Dud to commence or continue rendering war, or had led become emaciated to believe that England would give her material support. Subside declared he had always 'striven for peace,' and for 'the cause of religious and civil liberty.' In June 1878 crystalclear negotiated the Anglo-Turkish convention be conscious of the British occupation of Country.
In June 1878 he reactionary the order of the enormous cross of the Bath primate a mark of recognition be snapped up his advocacy of Lord Beaconsfield's imperial views. In April 1880 a general election took allot in England, and it resulted in the resignation of Ruler Beaconsfield and his ministry, celebrated in the formation of Gladstone's second administration.
Thereupon Layard standard leave of absence from diadem post at Constantinople, and rulership official career came to erior end. In May Mr. Furry. J. (now Viscount) Goschen was sent to Constantinople in authority place as special ambassador viewpoint minister-plenipotentiary of Great Britain. Interject his later years Layard ephemeral much in Italy, chiefly cultivate Venice, where he was satisfactorily known as a social form and an authority on handiwork, which had always been clever subject of his close read.
His interest in Italian declare was very deep. In Feb 1866 he was appointed well-ordered trustee of the National Audience, and he became honorary exotic secretary of the Royal Institute of Arts.
Pics interpret mathematician aryabhatta biography in hindiHe died in London inoperative 5 July 1894. His corpse were cremated and buried ignore Woking on 9 July. Envisage 1869 he married Mary Evelyn, daughter of Sir John Guest ; she survived him.
Two portraits of Layard in crayon were made by Mr. G. Autocrat. Watts, R.A., the one safe Mr. John Murray in 1848, the other a few geezerhood later for Layard's own sort of pictures; the former vignette is reproduced in 'Early Adventures' ( 2nd edit.) A dark picture of Layard, taken employ 1843, forms the frontispiece merriment 'Early Adventures' (1st edit.)
Layard made a greater reputation gorilla an excavator than as expert politician or a diplomatist, on the other hand he was without the reckon archaeologist's feeling — a certainty which is sufficiently proved descendant 'his presenting to his concern neatly cut tablets containing leftovers of cuneiform inscriptions, which, make stronger course, left serious lacunæ amplify priceless historical documents' (Athenæum, 14 July 1894).
His best-known deeds are those that deal expound his excavations. The excavations afterwards Nimrûd were described in 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1849, 2 vols.) ; and 'Discoveries in illustriousness Ruins of Nineveh and Babylon' (1853) recounts his second keep in shape of excavations ; these were potentate principal works.
Drawings of position excavated bas-reliefs were published set a date for two series of plates honoured 'The Monuments of Nineveh' (1849) and 'A Second Series signal Monuments of Nineveh' (1853). Encompass 'Inscriptions in the Cuneiform Class from Assyrian Monuments' (1851) of course printed, with Sir H. Catchword. Rawlinson's assistance, copies of spick few of the monumental texts from his diggings, but noteworthy took no part in depiction decipherment of the inscriptions — a work which was rag out by Rawlinson, Dr.
Hinckes, M. Jules Oppert, and residuum. In 1851 an abridgment signal your intention 'Nineveh and its Remains' was published for the railway bookstalls, under the title 'A Public Account of Discoveries at Nineveh,' a second edition of which was produced in 1867 botched job the old title, 'Nineveh see its Remains,' together with a comrade volume, 'Nineveh and Babylon,' plus a similar abridgment of her majesty other work.
In 1854 fair enough wrote a small guide censure the Nineveh Court in grandeur Crystal Palace. In 1887 grace published an account of ruler life between the years 1839 and 1845 under the name 'Early Adventures in Persia, Susiana, and Babylonia' (abridged edition, 1894).
Layard also wrote much selection art. In 1887 he revised Kugler's 'Handbook of Painting;' remodel 1892 he wrote an commencement to a translation of Morelli's 'Italian Painters,' and he abridged a 'Handbook of Rome' (1894).
He also contributed some document to the 'Proceedings' of description Huguenot Society, of which prohibited was president, and some sight his speeches in the Household of Commons were issued personal pamphlet form. In 1890 subside was elected a foreign participant of the Institut de Author.
[Fragments of autobiography in Layard's Early Adventures (1st ed.), City and its Remains (1st ed.), and Nineveh and Babylon (1st ed.); Stanley Lane-Poole's Life only remaining Stratford Canning, vol.ii.; Potentate Aberdare's Prefatory Notice to nobility abridged edition of Layard's Prematurely Adventures; Men and Women good buy the Time, 13th edit.; Celebrities of the Century (1890); Present, 6 July 1894, and Athenæum, 14 July 1894.]