Robert Barkley Shaw

Robert Barkley Shaw (12 July 1839 – 15 July 1879) was a British explorer in Central Asia, and later a diplomat.

Early life

He was born in Upper Clapton, London, and was educated at schools on the continent, at Marlborough College, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. Unable to recover his health after an attack of rheumatic fever, he gave up the idea of entering the army, and in 1859 he went to Kangra in the Himalayas, where he settled as a tea-planter.

Exploring Central Asia

Map of present-day China showing the location of Kashgar

He had an adventurous spirit, and was interested in exploring the then almost unknown country north of the Karakoram; after one or two tentative excursions, he started in May 1868 for Eastern Turkestan, travelling as a merchant. He reached Yarkund on 8 December and Kashgar on 11 January 1869; he was the first Englishman to visit these places. At Kashgar, he was not allowed to enter the city, but he had a successful meeting with Yakub Beg, who had recently overthrown Chinese rule and was head of the region. Yakub Beg subsequently despatched an envoy to India asking that a British officer might be sent to arrange a treaty. Shaw returned by the Karakoram Pass, and proceeded to England.

Mission to Eastern Turkestan

While preparing an account of his journey for the press, he heard that Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India had decided to send an official mission to Eastern Turkestan. He offered his services, which were accepted; he accompanied diplomat Thomas Douglas Forsyth and they arrived at Yarkund on 3 August 1870; however Yakub Beg was in another part of his dominions, and the mission came back with its principal object unachieved.

In 1872 the Royal Geographical Society awarded Barkley the patron's gold medal; Sir Henry Rawlinson stated that this distinction was given him "for the services he had rendered to the cause of geography in exploring Eastern Turkestan; and above all for his very valuable astronomical observations."

Political appointments

In recognition of his service to government, Lord Mayo appointed him to the political department, and he was made British joint commissioner in Ladakh.

In 1875 he went to Yarkund in charge of the ratified treaty made by Thomas Douglas Forsyth in 1874.

In 1878 he was appointed resident at Mandalay in Upper Burma. This was the central and northern part of present-day Myanmar; Upper Burma was an independant kingdom, while Lower Burma was part of the British Empire. During his period in this post, king Mindon of Burma died in October 1878 and was succeeded by king Thibaw.

Barkley died in Mandalay on 15 June 1879.

Works

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Shaw, Robert Barkley". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.