Everard F. im Thurn
Encyclopedia
Everard Ferdinand im Thurn (1852 – October 9, 1932) was an author, explorer, botanist, photographer and Governor of Fiji
. He was educated at Oxford University, Edinburgh University, and Sydney University. After his education he travelled to British Guiana
—called Guyana
since its independence from Great Britain
—to become the curator of the British Guiana Museum
from 1877 to 1882 and later became a Stipendiary Magistrate in Pomeroon
.
In December 1884 he led the first successful expedition to the summit of Mount Roraima
, in Venezuela's Gran Sabana
region, along with Harry Perkins, an Assistant Crown Surveyor who was also living in British Guiana
.
Thurn was also a keen photographer and author of several works related to his expedition to Roraima, which were published in scientific journals , including: "The Botany of Roraima Expedition of 1884: being notes on the plants observed; with a list of the species collected, and determinations of those that are new" (Linnean Society, 1887), and Among the Indians of Guiana: being sketches, chiefly anthropologic from the interior of British Guiana, etc.", which includes detailed observations of the Pemon Indians of Venezuela.
He was a well-respected figure in the scientific circles of his time, serving as the President of the Royal Anthropological Institute
1919–1920 and being made an Honorary Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford
.
Thurn went on to become a government agent in British Guiana from 1891 to 1899, holding several positions, including: 1st Class Clerk in the Colonial Office from 1899 to 1901, before moving to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka
), where he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor and Colonial Secretary and Fiji
where he was governor from 1904 to 1910.
Governor of Fiji
Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970, and an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth from 1970 to 1987. During this period, the Head of State was the British Monarch, but in practice his or her functions were normally exercised locally by the Governor prior to independence ,...
. He was educated at Oxford University, Edinburgh University, and Sydney University. After his education he travelled to British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
—called Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
since its independence from Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
—to become the curator of the British Guiana Museum
National Museum of Guyana
Guyana National Museum was established on 13 February 1868. The idea of starting a museum was conceived by members of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana...
from 1877 to 1882 and later became a Stipendiary Magistrate in Pomeroon
Pomeroon
Pomeroon can refer to either of the following:*Pomeroon River, a river in Guyana;*Pomeroon-Supenaam, a region in Guyana;*Pomeroon , a former colony in Guyana....
.
In December 1884 he led the first successful expedition to the summit of Mount Roraima
Monte Roraima
Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateau in South America. First described by the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh in 1596, its summit area is defended by 400-metre-tall cliffs on all sides...
, in Venezuela's Gran Sabana
La Gran Sabana
The Gran Sabana is an important natural attraction in Venezuela, located in the south of Bolívar State on the Venezuelan-Brazilian border, approximately 1,400 km from Caracas. The area has a tropical humid climate with an average temperature of 28 °C, but at night it can go down to 13 °C...
region, along with Harry Perkins, an Assistant Crown Surveyor who was also living in British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
.
Thurn was also a keen photographer and author of several works related to his expedition to Roraima, which were published in scientific journals , including: "The Botany of Roraima Expedition of 1884: being notes on the plants observed; with a list of the species collected, and determinations of those that are new" (Linnean Society, 1887), and Among the Indians of Guiana: being sketches, chiefly anthropologic from the interior of British Guiana, etc.", which includes detailed observations of the Pemon Indians of Venezuela.
He was a well-respected figure in the scientific circles of his time, serving as the President of the Royal Anthropological Institute
Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland is the world's longest established anthropological organization, with a global membership. Since 1843, it has been at the forefront of new developments in anthropology and new means of communicating them to a broad audience...
1919–1920 and being made an Honorary Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the fourth oldest college of the University. The main entrance is on the east side of Turl Street...
.
Thurn went on to become a government agent in British Guiana from 1891 to 1899, holding several positions, including: 1st Class Clerk in the Colonial Office from 1899 to 1901, before moving to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
), where he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor and Colonial Secretary and Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
where he was governor from 1904 to 1910.