I am preparing a formal presentation on Sir Clements Markham. In the meantime, I have made this short version as an introduction to the subject.
I hope you will find this of interest.
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Isobel Williams – Author, Cruise Speaker and Lecturer 
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Sir Clements was remarkable. Two queries. Joined the navy aged 14 and went on a long trip round the Pacific. What happened to his education? Did the navy educate him or did he educate himself? Does not seem to have suffered from not going to school. The Chinchona tree was transported to India where it took root and the price of quinine came down within three years. Things grow very quickly in the tropics but it does seem very quick. Small points from a very interesting lecture.
Interesting points: I will answer the education query first and come to the cinchona at a later date.
It is true that Clements did not have a traditional formal academic education. This could be said for all the young Cadets aiming to ascend the officer ranks who were obliged to join at the age of 14. Clements, in this respect, was on par with future Admirals, Vice Admirals Captains. etc.
Clements was unusual however in his thirst for knowledge, but he was not entirely self taught. When he was 8 he attended Cheam School where he was said to be particularly interested in geography, astronomy and history and where his interest in the Polar Regions was stimulated by his reading of Parry’s ‘Polar Voyages’. His biographer states that, in addition, at this young age, he embarked on (amongst other pieces), ‘A History of England’ in 8 chapters! His father had this attempt made into a leather bound book, much to Clement’s pleasure.. This work shows that.apart from school tuition, Clements had already learnt the importance of, and the interest in, research.
His next school was Westminster, where he studied from 12 to 14.and apparently thrived. Apart from routine school classes his compulsive research and writing continued – histories of Egypt and Abyssinia (complete with maps),were completed amongst other essays
Unsurprisingly, he passed the naval exams. On his early Pacific Tour he received schooling (as apposed to naval training) from 9 am until 11.30. In addition he received his naval tuition and fulfilled his naval duties. Throughout he continued his researches and writings and developed a particular interest in Peru and the Inca Empire
In summary, although he did not have many years of formal schooling he seems to have had a reasonable grounding. His permanent curiosity and passion for knowledge provided the rest
T
I knew very little about Sir Clements Markham, but having heard this introductory video by Isobel Williams, my appetite has been whetted to know more about him. Having visited Lima and Cusco in the early 1970’s, I know how impenetrable those Peruvian mountains would have been. I look forward to hearing more about him.
The full presentation will give details of the history of cinchona, details about Sir C. losing control of the RGS —–and more!
Thank you for your lovely comment
Very interesting! Love these virtual lectures with which we can travel around the world. Learn and be captivated.
Brilliant!!!
A comment on anything visual from you, with your wonderful photographic skills is greatly appreciated
A comment from you, with your wonderful photographic skills, is greatly appreciated
A comment from you, with your wonderful photographic skills, is greatly appreciated
Thank you. A comment on the visuals is worth getting from a person with such photographic abilities as yourself
I am making a few videos in lockdown.