First impressions

family copy

A family copy of a typically scarce Dawson Turner production. Inscribed: 'To my dear daughter M.A.T. / D.T. editor.' D.T. is Dawson Turner (1775-1858), the well-known Norfolk antiquary and father of the author, M.A.T. is Mary Ann Turner (1803-1874), an elder sister of the author. One hundred copies were printed (Warren Turner). The nephew referred to in the title would be one of the three sons of Sir Francis Palgrave, the explorer of Arabia, who married Elizabeth Turner, a sister of the author.

As well as being the eldest surviving son of Dawson Turner, Gurney Turner (1813-1848) was a brother-in-law of the botanist Sir William Hooker (1785-1865). Turner was expected to have a successful medical career in London, however after working hard for some years and failing to establish a private practice, Turner used his family's connections to secure an appointment as a surgeon in the East India Company service in India. In 1841 Turner published this anonymous account of his life in India. It is a work full of information on local life. Turner died in Calcutta aged 35, survived by his wife and son.

First edition. 8vo, iv, 42 pp., original stiff yellow wrappers, all edges gilt, title in black to upper cover, a very good example.

Warren Dawson (Works of Dawson Turner), 44.