Bowring, John, 1792-1872

John Bowring was an English statesman and author, renowned as a polyglot. Born in Exeter and raised as a Unitarian, he began working at the age of thirteen, and actively sought to learn languages from travellers. He established a mercantile firm, and travelled extensively, meeting Jeremy Bentham; a controversy over some Greek loans affected his reputation and financial status, but Bentham helped by appointing him political editor of Westminster Review. Bowring published several volumes of verse, translated from different languages, and he began working for various government commissions. He was elected to several terms at Parliament, was made consul to Canton, and later knighted and appointed governor of Hong Kong. He wrote numerous books on a variety of topics, and was reputed to have been able to speak over 100 languages.

From the description of John Bowring letter to Mr. Coppinger, portraits, and remembrance card, 1841-1872. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 79637513

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