Description

Demetrius C. Boulger (1853-1928) published several works on Asia, including this 1908 biography of Sir Halliday Macartney (1833-1906), a military doctor turned diplomat. Boulger describes how, interrupting his studies, Macartney served as a medical volunteer with the Anglo-Turkish contingent in the Crimea. After completing his medical degree Macartney joined the army and travelled to India and China. In the early 1860s he took an active part in crushing the Taiping Rebellion under the leadership of the young General (then Captain) Gordon, joined the Chinese Service, and was swiftly promoted. Macartney founded the first ever arsenal in China at Nanking and was its director for ten years. He transferred to the diplomatic service, and for over thirty years was a lead negotiator in Anglo-Chinese affairs. He also organised the diplomatic representation of China at various European courts and became a Counsellor to the Chinese Embassy in London.