BEKE, CHARLES Tur.srosE, mr.n., etc., a modern English traveler, was horn in London, Oct. 10, 1800; received a commercial education; afterwards studied law in Lincoln's Inn, and devoted a great part of his attention to ancient history, philology, and ethnography. The results of these studies first appeared in his work, Origin es Bibliea, or researches in primeval history, vol. i. Lond. 1834). His (historical and geo graphical studies of the east led B. to consider the great importance of Abyssinia for intercourse with Central Africa; but his proposals to undertake an exploring journey were declined by the government, and by several learned societies. Supported only by private individuals, he joined in Abyssinia the party led by maj. Harris, and dis tinrruislied himself by, the exploration of Godshem, and the countries lying to the s., previously almost unknown in Europe. The results of these researches appeared partly in several journals, and in Abyssinia, a Statement of _filets, etc. (2d ed., Lond. 1846).
Haring returned to Europe, he excited the attention of geographers by his publications: the Essay on the Nile and its Tributaries (Loud. 1847); On the 'Sources of the Nile (1849); and by his Memoire Justifleatif en Rehabilitation des Peres Paez et Lobo (Paris, 1848). In 1881. br. and Mrs. B. made a journey to Haman; and undertook in 1863 a fruitless mission to Abyssinia, to obtain the release of the captives. At the commencement of 1874. Dr. B. started for the region at the head of the Red sca, where he claimed (though his views are disputed) to have discovered Mt. Sinai c. of the gulf of Akabab, and not w. as generally supposed. He died in July of the, same year, being engaged at the time on an account of his journey to Sinai. Ile had enjoyed a civil list pension since 1870.