MARKHAM. 127 



39. JOHN MARKHAM. 



JOHN MARKHAM was born at Dean's Yard, June 13, 1761. He was sent to 

 Westminster School at the age of 8 years, was appointed a midshipman at 14 

 (1775), and sailed for Newfoundland. His ship chased privateers, and at 15 he 

 was made prize-master of a sloop-of-war. In 1779 he took a gallant part in the 

 capture of Charleston, South Carolina, was promoted to a lieutenancy and put in 

 charge of the prize frigate Confederacy, and at 20 was given command of a British 

 naval vessel. During this time he seems to have made no important error of 

 judgment, but in May 1782 he mistook a ship sailing under a flag of truce for an 

 enemy and was court-martialed, but later he was restored to his rank. In 1783 

 Markham commanded a naval vessel in the Mediterranean; later he traveled with 

 a friend through Europe and to America. After the French war broke out he 

 obtained command of a ship (1793) and cruised in the French West Indies. In 

 1797 he took part in the blockade of Brest, but in 1801 resigned his command. 

 He was then elected a lord of the admiralty and entered Parliament; in 1804 he 

 was made rear admiral; in 1806 first sea lord. His health began to decline and he 

 died at Naples in 1827. 



John Markham was not prudent or cautious and was a fearless though not a 

 great fighter. He was honorable, warm-hearted, generous, and never forgot a friend, 

 and his affection for his relatives was deep and strong. He had great application. 



By a consort of good family (whose mother's mother's father was secretary 

 of war) he had 4 sons, of whom one, Frederick (1818-1855), became a soldier and 

 saw service in Canada, India, and the Crimea, was extremely fond of hunting big 

 game, and wrote two books on hunting and travel. He never married. A second 

 son, like his father's brothers, father's father, and mother's brother, was a clergyman. 



John Markham's father (William Markham) was a clergyman, an Arch- 

 bishop of York. Like his son he had great application, "an attention that nothing 

 could disturb," also he was affectionate toward his children. He was especially 

 interested in geography. "Dr. Markham often seemed to show a partiality for 

 the profession of a soldier. He, no doubt, possessed in an eminent degree those 

 qualities which would have led to distinction in military life. His judgment was 

 cool, his courage undaunted, his decision quick, his mind energetic, active and 

 enterprising, his constitution capable of enduring fatigue and patience not to be 

 subdued." He was interested in military tactics. Of his sons, besides John, one, 

 David, was remarkably bright and clever and an excellent Latin scholar. He 

 entered the army by inclination, was sent to India, was wounded, returned home, 

 and became major of infantry in 1793, and later, while commanding at Jamaica, 

 lieutenant colonel. He was killed while leading his men at San Domingo in 1795. 

 An intellectual and resolute man; at the same time gentle and warm-hearted. 



Two other brothers became clergymen. One, William, after a few years in 

 the civil service in India, settled down in Yorkshire as a country gentleman and 

 indulged his taste for literature, especially the classics. He early became crippled 

 by gout. From William and his wife Elizabeth Bowles are descended David, 

 a clergyman, canon of Windsor, and the father of Sir Clements Markham, the 

 explorer and author; and John, a captain in the Royal Navy and father of 

 Admiral Sir Albert Hastings Markham, the explorer and author. Brother Osborn 

 was a barrister. The fraternity showed a high degree of talent, with diverse tastes 

 and constitutions. 



