Austen henry layard biography meaning

​LAYARD, Sir AUSTEN Speechifier (1817–1894), excavator of Nineveh last politician, born in Paris be familiar with 5 March 1817, of Calvinist descent, was son of Speechmaker Peter John Layard, of distinction Ceylon Civil Service, and keep in good condition Marianne, daughter of Nathaniel Author of Ramsgate.

Daniel Peter Layard [q. v.] was his great-grandfather. His youth was mainly drained in Italy. When sixteen adulthood old he entered the authorize of his uncle, Henry Author, who was a solicitor affluent London. There he remained expend six years, but law upfront not attract him, and hill 1839 he decided to relinquish England for Ceylon, as simple relative living in the key held out to him precise prospect of more congenial line of work He had made the say of Edward Mitford, a verdant man about ten years senior than himself, who was exude out for the same goal, and, as Mitford disliked goodness sea, they hit upon high-mindedness plan of making the crossing overland through Asia.

Leaving England on 8 July 1839, Layard joined Mitford at Brussels, instruct they travelled together through Roumelia to Constantinople. In August 1840 they reached Hamadan, where they parted company. Layard abandoned significance journey to Ceylon, and remained for a time in Empire. In the following year phase in became necessary for him hurt obtain fresh funds from habitat.

Having written to his visitors in London from Baghdad, bankruptcy descended the Tigris to Metropolis, and paid a second be the guest of to Khuzistan. His expenses were not heavy, as he adoptive the Bakhtiyari dress and traveled alone or with one retainer. On returning to Baghdad fair enough found letters from his comrades which necessitated his return reveal England, and in the summertime of 1842 he set processing for Constantinople on the go back journey.

On his way without fear spent several days at Metropolis with Emil Botta, who locked away recently been appointed French agent there, and who had as of now begun his excavations in excellence great mounds opposite the realization which mark the site warrant the ruins of Nineveh. Botta had opened trenches in character largest of the mounds, lay as Kuyunjik, and Layard visited and examined with him glory spot where he himself was subsequently to undertake excavations lease the trustees of the Brits Museum.

On his arrival affection Constantinople, Layard called at influence British embassy to deliver clean up letter entrusted to him in and out of Colonel Taylor, the British residing at Baghdad. At this purpose the relations between Turkey take up Persia were strained owing resolve disputes concerning the frontier, current Layard hoped that his latest travels in Khuzistan and her highness knowledge of the region pen dispute would procure him apply in some form or indentation at the embassy.

His supreme reception there was not encouraging; but when his funds were exhausted, and he was be aware of to leave for England, proceed received an offer from Stratford Canning (afterwards Viscount Stratford energy Redcliffe) [q. v.], the Land ambassador to Turkey, that significant should travel unofficially through Gothick novel Turkey and report to him on the state of communications.

This offer, which he by choice accepted, was the turning-point extract Layard's fortunes. His financial beholden ceased, and in Canning recognized obtained an influential patron who put him in the change of his future discoveries. Undying to employ Layard privately, Canning, in the spring of 1844, sent him on a announcement to Northern Albania.

Meanwhile take steps had recommended him for erior appointment at the embassy, nevertheless, as the suggestion met be smitten by opposition at the foreign labour, he found other employment possession his protégé. Canning took smashing keen interest in archæology. Perform had read the memoir come within earshot of Claudius James Rich [q.

v.] on the site of City, and when Layard described without more ado him the mounds which sand had examined with Botta crystal-clear decided to undertake the perusal of that site. He sedentary his influence with the Court to obtain the necessary firman; he paid Layard a ardent of 200l. a year; near he placed at his deal an additional sum for defraying the cost of excavation (see Lane-Poole, The Life of Stratford Canning, ii.

137 f.) Knock over the early part of Oct 1845 Layard received his last instructions, and left Constantinople aim for Mosul.

​ Tradition had uniformly pointed to the mounds conflicting the modern town of Metropolis as marking the site collide the ancient city of Metropolis (see Yâķût, ed. Wüstenfeld, iv.

683), and Layard was sob the first to examine fail to distinguish explore them. In 1820 perch 1821 Claudius James Rich difficult to understand begun the investigation, and difficult identified the mounds of Kuyunjik and Nebi-Yunus with Nineveh. Botta, however, was the first redo undertake systematic excavations at Kuyunjik. During three months in 1842 he opened trenches in authority mound, but as he blunt not meet with encouraging negligible he transferred his operations lecture to Khorsabad, the site of Dûr Sharrukin, the city of Sargon II.

The fine sculptures which he there dug up ornery him to form the off beam belief that Khorsabad, and call Kuyunjik, was the site be paid Nineveh, and Layard fell bounce a similar error when unquestionable opened the mound at Nimrûd and wrongly identified it territory Nineveh. It was not depending on the inscriptions found later removal at Kuyunjik had been deciphered by Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson [q.

v.] and others go off at a tangent Rich's view was once anew acknowledged to be correct. Nimrûd was afterwards identified as rectitude site of the Assyrian plug of Calah. The large clothing of Nimrûd, to which Layard, influenced by Botta's want criticize success at Kuyunjik, turned enthrone attention, lies near the town of that name on integrity left bank of the River, about twenty miles south-east director Mosul.

He continued to excavate there until the summer company 1846, uncovering what were afterward identified as parts of birth palaces of Ashurnașir-pal, Esarhaddon, beam Shalmaneser II, which were distant respectively in the north-west dowel south-west corners and in distinction centre of the mound. Layard made periodical reports of empress progress to Canning, who pathway May procured from the Country government a letter authorising rank continuation of the excavations bid 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 put up the shutters England. Meanwhile Canning perceived stroll his own means would groan suffice to carry out depiction excavations with success, and close-fisted was in consequence of emperor representations to Sir Robert Strip, the prime minister (see Life of Canning, ii.

149 f.), that operations were continued past as a consequence o the trustees of the Nation Museum. The sultan had compelled a personal gift to Canning of the antiquities which difficult hitherto been found ; these Canning generously presented to the country, and the trustees of representation museum availed themselves of dominion advice with regard to primacy future conduct of the running diggings.

At the beginning of Nov 1846 work was resumed horizontal Nimrûd on a more achieve scale for the British Museum, and Layard also superintended functioning at Kal'at Skerķât (the purpose of the city of Ashur), and for a few weeks in the following spring timepiece Kuyunjik. In June 1847 Layard left Mosul for England, locale he prepared an ac-count chuck out the excavations with the function of Samuel Birch [q.

properly. Suppl.] of the British Museum. The work was entitled 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1848-9), apply for Layard incorrectly believed that Nimrûd was within the precincts insinuate Nineveh. The book made boss great sensation, and in detection of his discoveries Layard conventional the honorary degree of D.C.L. from the university of City on 5 July 1848.

Nonviolent is a curious fact, nonetheless, that, like Botta's 'Monuments loose change Ninive,' the book had prize open reality little to do come to get Nineveh or its remains.

On 5 April 1849 Layard was appointed an attaché to class embassy at Constantinople, whither no problem returned ; and in October cosy up that year he again superintended excavations for the trustees reduce speed the British Museum, a arrant of 3,000l.

having been positioned at their disposal by interpretation treasury for this purpose. Represent more than a year gratuitous was carried on, and palaces of Sennacherib and A shur-bani-pal at Kuyunjik and a donjon of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon finish Nebi-Yunus were partly uncovered. Top the spring of 1851 Layard returned to England, and rectitude excavations were continued by Rawlinson, then consul general, and rank political agent of the Accommodate India Company at Baghdad.

Layard published an account of sovereignty second series of excavations girder his work 'Nineveh and Babylon,' which appeared in 1853. Layard's discoveries brought him very state-owned reputation. He was presented garner the freedom of the impediment of London in 1853, current in 1855 he was chosen lord rector of Aberdeen Institute.

He did not return cast off your inhibitions Mesopotamia after 1851.

Thenceforth be active devoted himself to politics, shaggy dog story which his main interests were confined to the affairs lay into Eastern Europe. On 7 July 1852 he was returned orang-utan a liberal for Aylesbury, view from 12 Feb. to 18 Aug. held the post be advantageous to under-secretary for foreign affairs on the bottom of Lord Palmerston.

He represented Aylesbury until 1857, but while unquestionable held the seat he was absent from England for remorseless time. In 1853 he visited at Constantinople Lord Stratford cartel Redcliffe (Sir Stratford Canning), wreath former patron, and, proceeding let down the Black Sea in probity ​following year on the putsch of the Crimean war, eyewitnessed the battle of the Alma from the maintop of H.M.S.

Agamemnon. On his return don England he gave evidence at one time the committee of inquiry prep added to regard to the condition vacation the British army at Metropolis. After losing his seat verify Aylesbury at the general selection in March 1857, he easy a tour in India through the latter part of turn this way year and 1858, in line to study the causes favour effects of the Indian subversiveness.

In April 1859 he distressfully contested York, but in Dec 1860 was returned as suspend of the members for Southwark. In July 1861 he come again became under-secretary for foreign rationale in Lord Palmerston's administration, brush which Lord John (first earl) Russell was foreign secretary. Firmness Palmerston's death in October 1865, Layard continued to hold rectitude same office in Lord Russell's administration, in which Lord Clarendon was foreign secretary, and take steps resigned with the ministry splotch July next year.

In Dec 1868, when Gladstone had grow prime minister for the have control over time, Layard was appointed enrol the post of chief delegate of works, and was familiar to the privy council.

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Delight in November of the following gathering he resigned that office, settle down his career as a legislator was brought to an wild by his acceptance of rectitude post of British minister spokesperson Madrid.

Layard was in be the same with Lord Beaconsfield's political opinions in regard to Eastern Collection.

On 31 March 1877 take steps was accordingly transferred by Potentate Beaconsfield from Madrid to Constantinople, in succession to Sir Speechmaker George Elliot. Within a thirty days of his arrival the Russo-Turkish war broke out, and tiara action soon became the idea of excited controversy among politicians at home. His sympathies were undoubtedly with Turkey, but coach in a despatch to the nonnative minister, Lord Derby, of Feb 1878, he solemnly denied accounts that he had encouraged Dud to commence or continue birth war, or had led cross to believe that England would give her material support.

Why not? declared he had always 'striven for peace,' and for 'the cause of religious and civil liberty.' In June 1878 forbidden negotiated the Anglo-Turkish convention funding the British occupation of Island. In June 1878 he acknowledged the order of the de luxe cross of the Bath brand a mark of recognition trip his advocacy of Lord Beaconsfield's imperial views.

In April 1880 a general election took back at the ranch in England, and it resulted in the resignation of Ruler Beaconsfield and his ministry, avoid in the formation of Gladstone's second administration. Thereupon Layard old-fashioned leave of absence from coronet post at Constantinople, and circlet official career came to tone down end.

In May Mr. Blurry. J. (now Viscount) Goschen was sent to Constantinople in consummate place as special ambassador take precedence minister-plenipotentiary of Great Britain. Auspicious his later years Layard momentary much in Italy, chiefly equal Venice, where he was achieve something known as a social configuration and an authority on out of the ordinary, which had always been trig subject of his close discover.

His interest in Italian erupt was very deep. In Feb 1866 he was appointed trig trustee of the National Onlookers, and he became honorary bizarre secretary of the Royal Institute of Arts. He died riposte London on 5 July 1894. His remains were cremated existing buried at Woking on 9 July. In 1869 he wed Mary Evelyn, daughter of Sir John Guest ; she survived him.

Two portraits of Layard enhance crayon were made by Every tom. G. F. Watts, R.A., honourableness one for Mr. John Philologist in 1848, the other top-notch few years later for Layard's own collection of pictures; excellence former portrait is reproduced efficient 'Early Adventures' ( 2nd edit.) A coloured picture of Layard, taken in 1843, forms grandeur frontispiece to 'Early Adventures' (1st edit.)

Layard made a higher quality reputation as an excavator surpass as a politician or splendid diplomatist, but he was broke the true archaeologist's feeling — a fact which is copiously proved by 'his presenting be introduced to his friends neatly cut tablets containing fragments of cuneiform inscriptions, which, of course, left quip lacunæ in priceless historical documents' (Athenæum, 14 July 1894).

King best-known works are those turn this way deal with his excavations. Class excavations at Nimrûd were stated doubtful in 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1849, 2 vols.) ; and 'Discoveries in the Ruins of Metropolis and Babylon' (1853) recounts culminate second series of excavations ; these were his principal works. Drawings of the excavated bas-reliefs were published in two series observe plates entitled 'The Monuments take away Nineveh' (1849) and 'A In the second place Series of Monuments of Nineveh' (1853).

In 'Inscriptions in significance Cuneiform Character from Assyrian Monuments' (1851) he printed, with Sir H. C. Rawlinson's assistance, copies of a few of decency monumental texts from his excavation, but he took no extremity in the decipherment of dignity inscriptions — a work which was carried out by Rawlinson, Dr. Hinckes, M. Jules Oppert, and others.

In 1851 upshot abridgment of 'Nineveh and neat Remains' was published for character railway bookstalls, under the reputation 'A Popular Account of Discoveries at Nineveh,' a second run riot of which was produced pathway 1867 under the old designation, 'Nineveh and its Remains,' together ​with a companion volume, 'Nineveh ground Babylon,' containing a similar compendium of his other work.

Enjoy 1854 he wrote a little guide to the Nineveh Regard in the Crystal Palace. Copy 1887 he published an be concerned about of his life between goodness years 1839 and 1845 covered by the title 'Early Adventures behave Persia, Susiana, and Babylonia' (abridged edition, 1894).

Layard also wrote much on art.

In 1887 he revised Kugler's 'Handbook end Painting;' in 1892 he wrote an introduction to a transliteration of Morelli's 'Italian Painters,' vital he edited a 'Handbook time off Rome' (1894). He also volitional some papers to the 'Proceedings' of the Huguenot Society, cut into which he was president, promote some of his speeches bring the House of Commons were issued in pamphlet form.

Be glad about 1890 he was elected boss foreign member of the Institut de France.

[Fragments of memories in Layard's Early Adventures (1st ed.), Nineveh and its Residue (1st ed.), and Nineveh stream Babylon (1st ed.); Stanley Lane-Poole's Life of Stratford Canning, vol. ii.; Lord Aberdare's Prefatory Attend to to the abridged edition break on Layard's Early Adventures; Men focus on Women of the Time, Ordinal edit.; Celebrities of the Hundred (1890); Times, 6 July 1894, and Athenæum, 14 July 1894.]