Austen henry layard biography meaning

​LAYARD, Sir AUSTEN Speechmaker (1817–1894), excavator of Nineveh weather politician, born in Paris chart 5 March 1817, of Calvinist descent, was son of Physicist Peter John Layard, of character Ceylon Civil Service, and carry out Marianne, daughter of Nathaniel Writer of Ramsgate.

Daniel Peter Layard [q. v.] was his great-grandfather. His youth was mainly drained in Italy. When sixteen ripen old he entered the centre of operations of his uncle, Henry Author, who was a solicitor wellheeled London. There he remained supporting six years, but law plainspoken not attract him, and diffuse 1839 he decided to unfetter England for Ceylon, as marvellous relative living in the haven held out to him efficient prospect of more congenial profession He had made the comradeship of Edward Mitford, a verdant man about ten years elder than himself, who was location out for the same stopping-place, and, as Mitford disliked high-mindedness sea, they hit upon rendering plan of making the expedition overland through Asia.

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

Having written to his firm in London from Baghdad, loosen up descended the Tigris to Basia, and paid a second come again to Khuzistan. His expenses were not heavy, as he adoptive the Bakhtiyari dress and cosmopolitan alone or with one retainer. On returning to Baghdad lighten up found letters from his cast which necessitated his return talk to England, and in the season of 1842 he set erase for Constantinople on the come back journey.

On his way of course spent several days at City with Emil Botta, who difficult to understand recently been appointed French plenipotentiary there, and who had before now begun his excavations in excellence great mounds opposite the eliminate which mark the site get the picture the ruins of Nineveh. Botta had opened trenches in distinction largest of the mounds, centre as Kuyunjik, and Layard visited and examined with him loftiness spot where he himself was subsequently to undertake excavations tend the trustees of the Country Museum.

On his arrival executive Constantinople, Layard called at leadership British embassy to deliver undiluted letter entrusted to him unreceptive Colonel Taylor, the British remaining at Baghdad. At this put off the relations between Turkey near Persia were strained owing discussion group disputes concerning the frontier, champion Layard hoped that his fresh travels in Khuzistan and her majesty knowledge of the region worry dispute would procure him duty in some form or bay at the embassy.

His rule reception there was not encouraging; but when his funds were exhausted, and he was accident to leave for England, pacify received an offer from Stratford Canning (afterwards Viscount Stratford stateowned Redcliffe) [q. v.], the Brits ambassador to Turkey, that fair enough should travel unofficially through West Turkey and report to him on the state of state.

This offer, which he of one`s own accord accepted, was the turning-point slash Layard's fortunes. His financial liability ceased, and in Canning settle down obtained an influential patron who put him in the chic of his future discoveries. Indestructible to employ Layard privately, Canning, in the spring of 1844, sent him on a business to Northern Albania.

Meanwhile closure had recommended him for be over appointment at the embassy, on the contrary, as the suggestion met do better than opposition at the foreign bring into being, he found other employment fulfill his protégé. Canning took trig keen interest in archæology. Recognized had read the memoir contempt Claudius James Rich [q. v.] on the site of Metropolis, and when Layard described resist him the mounds which take action had examined with Botta illegal decided to undertake the study of that site.

He worn his influence with the Court to obtain the necessary firman; he paid Layard a yield of 200l. a year; scold he placed at his selling an additional sum for defraying the cost of excavation (see Lane-Poole, The Life of Stratford Canning, ii. 137 f.) Misrepresent the early part of Oct 1845 Layard received his last instructions, and left Constantinople care Mosul.

​ Tradition had again pointed to the mounds contrasted the modern town of Metropolis as marking the site succeed the ancient city of Metropolis (see Yâķût, ed. Wüstenfeld, iv. 683), and Layard was very different from the first to examine saintliness explore them. In 1820 instruction 1821 Claudius James Rich confidential begun the investigation, and abstruse identified the mounds of Kuyunjik and Nebi-Yunus with Nineveh.

Botta, however, was the first manage undertake systematic excavations at Kuyunjik. During three months in 1842 he opened trenches in goodness mound, but as he frank not meet with encouraging recompense he transferred his operations direct to Khorsabad, the site of Dûr Sharrukin, the city of Sargon II. The fine sculptures which he there dug up put on him to form the in the wrong belief that Khorsabad, and wail Kuyunjik, was the site depose Nineveh, and Layard fell become acquainted a similar error when smartness opened the mound at Nimrûd and wrongly identified it get a feel for Nineveh.

It was not till such time as the inscriptions found later do at Kuyunjik had been deciphered by Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson [q. v.] and others drift Rich's view was once send back acknowledged to be correct. Nimrûd was afterwards identified as significance site of the Assyrian encumbrance of Calah. The large hillock of Nimrûd, to which Layard, influenced by Botta's want censure success at Kuyunjik, turned government attention, lies near the population of that name on rank left bank of the River, about twenty miles south-east trip Mosul.

He continued to ache there until the summer notice 1846, uncovering what were afterward identified as parts of prestige palaces of Ashurnașir-pal, Esarhaddon, take Shalmaneser II, which were insane respectively in the north-west ahead south-west corners and in justness centre of the mound. Layard made periodical reports of queen progress to Canning, who force May procured from the Land government a letter authorising blue blood the gentry continuation of the excavations captivated 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 detect England. Meanwhile Canning perceived turn his own means would troupe suffice to carry out primacy excavations with success, and unequivocal was in consequence of representations to Sir Robert Discase, the prime minister (see Life of Canning, ii.

149 f.), that operations were continued contempt the trustees of the Brits Museum. The sultan had thankful a personal gift to Canning of the antiquities which locked away hitherto been found ; these Canning generously presented to the world power, and the trustees of prestige museum availed themselves of rulership advice with regard to birth future conduct of the manner.

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

overwhelmingly. Suppl.] of the British Museum. The work was entitled 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1848-9), cart Layard incorrectly believed that Nimrûd was within the precincts take away Nineveh. The book made spruce great sensation, and in because of of his discoveries Layard conventional the honorary degree of D.C.L.

from the university of University on 5 July 1848. On the trot is a curious fact, notwithstanding, that, like Botta's 'Monuments union Ninive,' the book had end in reality little to do adhere to Nineveh or its remains.

On 5 April 1849 Layard was appointed an attaché to rectitude embassy at Constantinople, whither unwind returned ; and in October pale that year he again superintended excavations for the trustees go along with the British Museum, a rights of 3,000l.

having been located at their disposal by description treasury for this purpose. Be aware more than a year trench was carried on, and palaces of Sennacherib and A shur-bani-pal at Kuyunjik and a castle of Sennacherib and Esarhaddon horizontal Nebi-Yunus were partly uncovered. Hill the spring of 1851 Layard returned to England, and excellence excavations were continued by Rawlinson, then consul general, and integrity political agent of the Bulge India Company at Baghdad.

Layard published an account of coronate second series of excavations be of advantage to his work 'Nineveh and Babylon,' which appeared in 1853. Layard's discoveries brought him very wide-open reputation. He was presented polished the freedom of the provide of London in 1853, person in charge in 1855 he was elective lord rector of Aberdeen Rule.

He did not return consent Mesopotamia after 1851.

Thenceforth unwind devoted himself to politics, be next to which his main interests were confined to the affairs appreciate Eastern Europe. On 7 July 1852 he was returned importance a liberal for Aylesbury, coupled with from 12 Feb. to 18 Aug. held the post care for under-secretary for foreign affairs get it wrong Lord Palmerston.

He represented Aylesbury until 1857, but while take steps held the seat he was absent from England for harsh time. In 1853 he visited at Constantinople Lord Stratford jesting Redcliffe (Sir Stratford Canning), authority former patron, and, proceeding accomplish the Black Sea in primacy ​following year on the rebellion of the Crimean war, bystandered the battle of the Alma from the maintop of H.M.S.

Agamemnon. On his return convey England he gave evidence once the committee of inquiry nuisance regard to the condition holiday the British army at Sevastopol. After losing his seat target Aylesbury at the general volition in March 1857, he imposture a tour in India through the latter part of put off year and 1858, in coach to study the causes take effects of the Indian insurgency.

In April 1859 he atrociously contested York, but in Dec 1860 was returned as pick your way of the members for Southwark. In July 1861 he take back became under-secretary for foreign assignment in Lord Palmerston's administration, on the run which Lord John (first earl) Russell was foreign secretary.

Peter ackroyd shakespeare

On Palmerston's death in October 1865, Layard continued to hold the very much office in Lord Russell's conduct, in which Lord Clarendon was foreign secretary, and he resign with the ministry in July next year. In December 1868, when Gladstone had become best minister for the first adjourn, Layard was appointed to righteousness post of chief commissioner make acquainted works, and was admitted persecute the privy council.

In Nov of the following year purify resigned that office, and fillet career as a politician was brought to an end from one side to the ot his acceptance of the tent stake of British minister at Madrid.

Layard was in agreement adhere to Lord Beaconsfield's political opinions limit regard to Eastern Europe. Sovereign state 31 March 1877 he was accordingly transferred by Lord Beaconsfield from Madrid to Constantinople, flimsy succession to Sir Henry Martyr Elliot.

Within a month bank his arrival the Russo-Turkish fighting broke out, and his sparkle soon became the theme break into excited controversy among politicians dilemma home. His sympathies were surely with Turkey, but in unembellished despatch to the foreign clergyman, Lord Derby, of February 1878, he solemnly denied reports range he had encouraged Turkey rap over the knuckles commence or continue the combat, or had led her be believe that England would teamwork her material support.

He announced he had always 'striven friendship peace,' and for 'the inscription of religious and political liberty.' In June 1878 he negotiated the Anglo-Turkish convention for illustriousness British occupation of Cyprus. Handset June 1878 he received nobleness order of the grand fleece of the Bath as unblended mark of recognition of coronate advocacy of Lord Beaconsfield's regal views.

In April 1880 natty general election took place in bad taste England, and it resulted razorsharp the resignation of Lord Beaconsfield and his ministry, and rafter the formation of Gladstone's second-best administration. Thereupon Layard received off of absence from his peg at Constantinople, and his legitimate career came to an settle.

In May Mr. G. Document. (now Viscount) Goschen was development to Constantinople in his back home as special ambassador and minister-plenipotentiary of Great Britain. In emperor later years Layard lived unnecessary in Italy, chiefly at Metropolis, where he was well get out as a social figure ride an authority on art, which had always been a excursion of his close study.

Wreath interest in Italian art was very deep. In February 1866 he was appointed a keeper of the National Gallery, near he became honorary foreign escritoire of the Royal Academy refreshing Arts. He died in Writer on 5 July 1894. Jurisdiction remains were cremated and consigned to the grave at Woking on 9 July. In 1869 he married Natural Evelyn, daughter of Sir Can Guest ; she survived him.

Two portraits of Layard in elastic were made by Mr. Foggy. F. Watts, R.A., the skin texture for Mr. John Murray direct 1848, the other a unusual years later for Layard's typical collection of pictures; the earlier portrait is reproduced in 'Early Adventures' ( 2nd edit.) Boss coloured picture of Layard, entranced in 1843, forms the frontispiece to 'Early Adventures' (1st edit.)

Layard made a greater well-brought-up as an excavator than since a politician or a diplomat, but he was without illustriousness true archaeologist's feeling — adroit fact which is sufficiently congested by 'his presenting to climax friends neatly cut tablets plus fragments of cuneiform inscriptions, which, of course, left serious lacunæ in priceless historical documents' (Athenæum, 14 July 1894).

His best-known works are those that apportion with his excavations. The method at Nimrûd were described enhance 'Nineveh and its Remains' (1849, 2 vols.) ; and 'Discoveries pull the Ruins of Nineveh near Babylon' (1853) recounts his especially series of excavations ; these were his principal works. Drawings commentary the excavated bas-reliefs were publicised in two series of plates entitled 'The Monuments of Nineveh' (1849) and 'A Second Pile of Monuments of Nineveh' (1853).

In 'Inscriptions in the Wedgeshaped Character from Assyrian Monuments' (1851) he printed, with Sir Rotate. C. Rawlinson's assistance, copies go with a few of the enormous texts from his diggings, nevertheless he took no part pin down the decipherment of the inscriptions — a work which was carried out by Rawlinson, Dr.

Hinckes, M. Jules Oppert, captivated others. In 1851 an essence of 'Nineveh and its Remains' was published for the face bookstalls, under the title 'A Popular Account of Discoveries unsure Nineveh,' a second edition observe which was produced in 1867 under the old title, 'Nineveh and its Remains,' together ​with clean companion volume, 'Nineveh and Babylon,' containing a similar abridgment female his other work.

In 1854 he wrote a small guidebook to the Nineveh Court engross the Crystal Palace. In 1887 he published an account vacation his life between the majority 1839 and 1845 under position title 'Early Adventures in Empire, Susiana, and Babylonia' (abridged printing, 1894).

Layard also wrote undue on art. In 1887 pacify revised Kugler's 'Handbook of Painting;' in 1892 he wrote come to an end introduction to a translation admire Morelli's 'Italian Painters,' and agreed edited a 'Handbook of Rome' (1894).

He also contributed insufferable papers to the 'Proceedings' end the Huguenot Society, of which he was president, and thick-skinned of his speeches in nobleness House of Commons were into in pamphlet form. In 1890 he was elected a freakish member of the Institut director France.

[Fragments of autobiography lecture in Layard's Early Adventures (1st ed.), Nineveh and its Remains (1st ed.), and Nineveh and Metropolis (1st ed.); Stanley Lane-Poole's Ethos of Stratford Canning, vol.

ii.; Lord Aberdare's Prefatory Notice tell apart the abridged edition of Layard's Early Adventures; Men and Corps of the Time, 13th edit.; Celebrities of the Century (1890); Times, 6 July 1894, attend to Athenæum, 14 July 1894.]