James Motley
Encyclopedia
James Motley was a Yorkshireman closely associated with South Wales and Borneo.
Born in Leeds
and educated in York
and St John's College, Cambridge
he spent at least some of his youth in South Wales where his father, a woolstapler, had investments in iron, coal, and tin works, being an early partner in the Maesteg
Ironworks, Yskyn Colliery at Briton Ferry, Margam
tinworks, and the Dafen tinworks at Llanelli
. He worked as an engineer and manager (at Tewgoed (or 'Terrgoed') Colliery at Cwmafan
); then underground surveyor to William Chambers
of Llanelli; and finally, at Abercrave colliery, iron works, iron mines, and limestone quarries while maintaining an active interest in natural history, especially botany (he left a herbarium at the Royal Institution of South Wales, Swansea), and folklore.
After the family hit substantial financial problems, he went out to Labuan
in 1849 to pioneer coal mining and other enterprises for the Eastern Archipelago Company
. He was accompanied by his wife and a brother, Francis, and made the most of opportunities to study the natural history. He did not have a good relationship with the other naturalist in Labuan at the time, Hugh Low
, but he corresponded with some eminent geologists (including Sir Henry De la Beche
who had recommended him for the job in Labuan) and botanists, especially William Jackson Hooker
at Kew Gardens, and William Mitten
; in Swansea, Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn
arranged publication of a natural history book. He sent specimens to various places (unpaid except for some sold, and later misattributed, to his successor in Labuan, Edward Scott Barber).
He left the Eastern Archipelago Company in acrimonious circumstances in 1853 but, after some time in Singapore (where he produced plans for drainage work) and exploring the coast of Sumatra, he obtained a similar job as superintendent of the private Julia Hermina coal mine at Kalangan (or Bangkal), south-east of Banjarmasin
in South Eastern Borneo where he, his wife, two daughters, and a son made good progress until a local uprising at the start of the Bandjermasin War
cost their lives, along with all the other Europeans living in the area.
Had he lived longer it is arguable that he might have been comparable to his near contemporary in both South Wales and Borneo, Alfred Russel Wallace
. They both contributed to Lewis Weston Dillwyn
's natural history book presented to participants in the 1848 British Association Conference in Swansea and Wallace actually acquired some specimens of Borneon birds collected by Motley, as recorded by British Museum catalogues of the late 19th century; many other birds he collected are in the Tristram
Collection at the World Museum, Liverpool
.
His name provides the basis for the generic name Motleyia and the specific name of a number of Malesian plants
Born in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
and educated in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
he spent at least some of his youth in South Wales where his father, a woolstapler, had investments in iron, coal, and tin works, being an early partner in the Maesteg
Maesteg
Maesteg is a town and community in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. Maesteg lies at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley, close to the border with Neath Port Talbot. In 2001, Maesteg had a population of 17,859, but it is now at an estimate of 20,000....
Ironworks, Yskyn Colliery at Briton Ferry, Margam
Margam
Margam is a suburb of Port Talbot in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, close to junction 39 of the M4 motorway.- History :...
tinworks, and the Dafen tinworks at Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
. He worked as an engineer and manager (at Tewgoed (or 'Terrgoed') Colliery at Cwmafan
Cwmafan
Cwmafan is a large village and community in the Afan valley in Wales, lying within Neath Port Talbot County Borough. It has a population of 5,603. In many ways it is a suburb of the nearby town of Port Talbot which is less than to the south, but it is separated from the town by the local...
); then underground surveyor to William Chambers
William Chambers
William Chambers may refer to:*William Chambers , 18th century Scottish architect*William Chambers *William Lee Chambers, judge*William Chambers , illegitimate son of the above...
of Llanelli; and finally, at Abercrave colliery, iron works, iron mines, and limestone quarries while maintaining an active interest in natural history, especially botany (he left a herbarium at the Royal Institution of South Wales, Swansea), and folklore.
After the family hit substantial financial problems, he went out to Labuan
Labuan
Labuan is a federal territory in East Malaysia. It is an island off the coast of the state of Sabah. Labuan's capital is Victoria and is best known as an offshore financial centre offering international financial and business services via Labuan IBFC since 1990 as well as being an offshore support...
in 1849 to pioneer coal mining and other enterprises for the Eastern Archipelago Company
Eastern Archipelago Company
The Eastern Archipelago Company was an incorporated company with a royal charter active in the island of Labuan from its creation in 1847 to its dissolution in 1858....
. He was accompanied by his wife and a brother, Francis, and made the most of opportunities to study the natural history. He did not have a good relationship with the other naturalist in Labuan at the time, Hugh Low
Hugh Low
Sir Hugh Low, GCMG was a British colonial administrator and naturalist. After a long residence in various colonial roles in Labuan, he became the first successful British administrator in the Malay Peninsula. His methods became models for future administrators. He made the first documented ascent...
, but he corresponded with some eminent geologists (including Sir Henry De la Beche
Henry De la Beche
Sir Henry Thomas De la Beche FRS was an English geologist and palaeontologist who helped pioneer early geological survey methods.-Biography:...
who had recommended him for the job in Labuan) and botanists, especially William Jackson Hooker
William Jackson Hooker
Sir William Jackson Hooker, FRS was an English systematic botanist and organiser. He held the post of Regius Professor of Botany at Glasgow University, and was the first Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He enjoyed the friendship and support of Sir Joseph Banks for his exploring,...
at Kew Gardens, and William Mitten
William Mitten
William Mitten was an English pharmaceutical chemist and authority on bryophytes who has been called "the premier bryologist of the second half of the nineteenth century"....
; in Swansea, Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn
Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn
Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn was a Welsh industrialist and Liberal politician.Dillwyn was born in Swansea, Wales, the second son of Lewis Weston Dillwyn and Mary Dillwyn . His father had been sent to Swansea by his father William, to take over the management of the Cambrian Pottery, and lived at Sketty...
arranged publication of a natural history book. He sent specimens to various places (unpaid except for some sold, and later misattributed, to his successor in Labuan, Edward Scott Barber).
He left the Eastern Archipelago Company in acrimonious circumstances in 1853 but, after some time in Singapore (where he produced plans for drainage work) and exploring the coast of Sumatra, he obtained a similar job as superintendent of the private Julia Hermina coal mine at Kalangan (or Bangkal), south-east of Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin is the capital of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is located on a delta island near the junction of the Barito and Martapura rivers. As a result, Banjarmasin is sometimes called the "River City"...
in South Eastern Borneo where he, his wife, two daughters, and a son made good progress until a local uprising at the start of the Bandjermasin War
Bandjermasin War
The Banjarmasin War was a colonial war for the restoration of Dutch authority in the eastern and southern section of Borneo.-Sources:...
cost their lives, along with all the other Europeans living in the area.
Had he lived longer it is arguable that he might have been comparable to his near contemporary in both South Wales and Borneo, Alfred Russel Wallace
Alfred Russel Wallace
Alfred Russel Wallace, OM, FRS was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist...
. They both contributed to Lewis Weston Dillwyn
Lewis Weston Dillwyn
Lewis Weston Dillwyn, FRS was a British porcelain manufacturer, naturalist and Member of Parliament.He was born in Walthamstow, Essex, the eldest son of William Dillwyn and Sarah Dillwyn...
's natural history book presented to participants in the 1848 British Association Conference in Swansea and Wallace actually acquired some specimens of Borneon birds collected by Motley, as recorded by British Museum catalogues of the late 19th century; many other birds he collected are in the Tristram
Henry Baker Tristram
The Reverend Henry Baker Tristram FRS was an English clergyman, Biblical scholar, traveller and ornithologist.Tristram was born at Eglingham vicarage, near Alnwick, Northumberland, and studied at Durham School and Lincoln College, Oxford. In 1846 he was ordained a priest, but he suffered from...
Collection at the World Museum, Liverpool
World Museum Liverpool
World Museum is a large museum in Liverpool, England which has extensive collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. Special attractions include the Natural History Centre and a free Planetarium. Entry to the museum itself is also free...
.
His name provides the basis for the generic name Motleyia and the specific name of a number of Malesian plants