MACARTNEY, George [1737-1806] Baron. Governor of Madras

Macartney, George [1737-1806].  A very good example of his bookplate as a Baron [created 1776] showing his arms beneath a baron’s coronet [he was later advanced to earl in 1792], pasted to a piece of an old book board, the bookplate 65 x 89mm. Beneath the arms is engraved The Right Honble. Geo. Lord Macartney, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle and of the Bath. Macartney had an extraordinary career, Envoy to St. Petersburg 1764-7, Governor of the Caribbean Islands 1775-9, before becoming Governor of Madras 1781-5 when he reduced the Dutch settlements and conducted the war against Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan. Clashing with the Bengal Government he turned down the Governor Generalship of India. At home he was severely wounded in a Hyde Park dual with Gen. Stuart whom he had sent home earlier. Later he was sent on an embassy to Pekin 1792-4, Governor of Cape of Good Hope 1796-8. His books are well known.   feb12/1