1831.] 
Memoir of Major Rennell. 
409 
XII. — Memoir of Major Rennell. 
[Extracted from the address of the President of the Royal Society, Davies Gilbert, 
Esq. m. p. at the anniversary meeting, 30th Nov. 1830.] 
“Having now, for the last time, to address you in reference to the loss of emi- 
nent persons sustained by the Society in the preceding year, I cannot but congra- 
tulate you on the difference between the list now read, and that which we had the 
misfortune to hear twelve months ago. Several individuals of great distinction, 
of extensive acquirements, and of splendid talents, are undoubtedly brought 
before us on the present occasion : but advanced age or long absence from this 
metropolis tend in some instances to lessen the pain we should otherwise feel 
on the recital of their names. While in the former case, persons at the very head 
of different departments in science, of our own ages, and daily conversant with 
our social habits, were suddenly taken from us, leaving the higher paths of science 
(as we feared at the time) without a foot that might in future trace their windings ; 
and our more familiar society without that sparkling of intellect, which invigorates 
the understanding, and at once elevates and refines the common intercourses of life. 
The individual, who unquestionably demands our first attention, is Major James 
Rennell, taken from us in his eighty-eighth year, lamented by all those who are ca- 
pable of appreciating his science, and by every one conversant with his active vir- 
tues, or with the simplicity and kindness of his manuers. 
I have endeavoured to collect some particulars respecting this distinguished per- 
son in his early j*ears. 
Major Rennell was descended from an ancient and respectable family in Devon- 
shire, said to be of Norman origin. His father was a Captain in the Royal Artillery, 
and fell at the siege of Maestrich. James Rennell was born at his father s house, 
Upcott, near Chudleigh, in Devonshire, on the 23rd of December, 1742. He entered 
on the naval service of his country at a very early age, where his spiiit and exei- 
tions soon attracted the notice of Sir Hyde Parker, with whom he sailed in the 
Brilliant frigate.to India. After the conclusion of peace, his eager desiie toi active 
service induced him to quit the navy, and he obtained a commission in the corps 
of engineers belonging to the East India Company. His zeal and ability in dischaig- 
ing the duties belonging to this station obtained for him the friendship of many 
superior officers, and especially of the great Loi’d Clive ; and he was soon piomoted 
to the station of Surveyor-General in Bengal. 
The fatigues attached to this civif employment were sufficient to exhaust the 
strength of any European constitution, conducted as were the surveys, with indefa- 
tigable industry, along the banks of the great rivers, periodically overflown and 
perpetually damp. But these were not all: Major Rennell, in encountering dangers 
which are inseparable from military renown, had suffered wounds so severe that he 
was, I believe, twice left exposed on the field of battle, and never recovered from 
their effects up to the latest period of his life. These altogether compelled Ins re- 
turn to England, and alone prevented him from attaining the highest military 
stations. . , . , 
Retired to private life, the whole energies of his mind were directec t0 scien 1 ^ dn _ 
literary pursuits. We have, founded on his exertions in India, An 
gal — A Map of the Mogul Empire-Marches of the Army in India-A Map of the 
Peninsula. , . ~ 
But the mental powers of Major Rennell were far from being confined 
region of the world. 
