Small notes on Dixon Denham (1786–1828) (1 Viewer)

[Taphrospilus]

Neotis denhami (Children & Vigors, 1826) OD Narratives of travels and discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824 : Denham, Dixon, 1786-1828. nr2002016782 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

These latter are described by Major Denham as singularly beautiful, being elongated and swelling out into a kind of ruff.

The Eponym Dictionary of Birds

Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami Children & Vigors, 1826
Lieutenant-Colonel Dixon Denham (1786–1828) was an English soldier who explored extensively across Africa. He wrote about this in Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa (1826). His exploits included crossing of the Sahara from Tripoli to Lake Chad with Clap- perton (q.v.) and (then as Major Denham) returned with records of the expedition, which were published as the Journal of a Second Expedition into the Interior of Africa (1829). He was also a fine illustrator. Denham became Governor-General of Sierra Leone, where he died of fever.

The Key to Scientific Names - Birds of the World

Species accounts for all the birds of the world.

birdsoftheworld.org

Lt.-Col. Dixon Denham (1786-1828) British Army, explorer in West Africa, Superintendent of Liberated Africans on the West Coast 1825, Lt.-Gov. of Sierra Leone 1828 (Neotis).

In old MS by Björn

Mearns & Mearns: [Vol. 2: 433] Dixon Denham (1786–1828), ... [English] "British Army officer and explorer of West Central Africa. ..."

He raised the question about his rank. Major or Lieutenant-Colonel? For me the highest rank he had is lieutenant-governor of the colony of Sierra Leone (but maybe not a military rank).

So it is him Dixon Denham - Wikipedia

In the same book we can find Aetheria denhami Koenig, 1826 Narratives of travels and discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824 : Denham, Dixon, 1786-1828. nr2002016782 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive of course not a bird.

Feel free to add anything additional of value to this thread.

 

[PScofield]

This document is revealing. It is signed by none other than General Charles FitzRoy the lover of mad King George's beloved daughter Amelia. The document indicates that Dixon retired a Major and that his widow Harriet was still living at his death and received his pension (contra Wikipedia). What is very clear from his will however, is that he was estranged from his wife whom he specifically excluded from inheriting - he gave everything to his brother John.
As for his rank it was (and still is) traditional at retirement to be promoted one rank (ie to Lieutenant-Colonel) and it is clear that this happened here. The technicality in this document is whether he was retired (aka "on half pay") at the time of his marriage. Something that Harriot swore was true.