The British Museum began its dedicated department of maps and charts in 1867 with Richard Henry Major serving as its keeper. Born in Shoreditch in 1818, he spent his professional career curating collections and documenting historical geography, eventually becoming a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a prominent voice within the Society of Antiquaries.
Early Life and Education
Richard Henry Major was the son of a surgeon, also named Richard, and his mother Elizabeth. Following his father's death when he was three, his paternal grandfather raised him alongside his elder brother. Major received his education at the Merchant Taylors' School and initially worked as a clerk before transitioning into his long-term career managing cartographic collections starting in 1844.
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Major joined the British Museum under the patronage of Sir Henry Ellis. His administrative reach extended to several influential organizations; he served as secretary of the Hakluyt Society from 1849 until 1858. Within the Royal Geographical Society, he held the position of honorary secretary between 1866 and 1881, later serving as vice-president from 1881 to 1884. He was also elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1854.
Literary and Historical Research
Throughout his life, Major translated and published numerous documents of historical importance. He authored volumes on the voyages of Nicolò and Antonio Zeno, as well as collections regarding narratives of 15th-century voyages to India. His focus on the history of discovery frequently addressed Portuguese expeditions and the identification of territories like Australia.
Personal Life and Final Years
In 1847, Major married Sarah Elizabeth Thorn, an artist who illustrated several of his publications. By 1880, respiratory illness necessitated his retirement from his institutional responsibilities. He died on 25 June 1891 at his residence at 51 Holland Road, Kensington. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery, though the headstone on his grave, numbered 4953, is no longer legible.
Fast facts
- Born: 1818, Shoreditch
- Died: 1891, Kensington
- Burial place: Highgate Cemetery
- Spouse: Sarah Elizabeth Thorn
- Notable role: Secretary of the Hakluyt Society
- Final position: Keeper of the department of maps and charts
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Major focus on in his writing?
He focused on the history of geography, early voyages to Australia, the naming of America, and translations of historical narratives from Latin, Persian, Russian, and Italian.
How long was his tenure at the British Museum?
He served from 1844 until his retirement in 1880.
Achievements
- Recorded as geographer, cartographer and writer
