YOUNG, Arthur, English agricultural writer: b. London, 11 Sept. 1741; d. there. 3) April 1820. He was intended for a mercantile career, but early adopted the profession of agri culture, carrying on farms at various places, and especially on his paternal estate, near Bun Saint Edmunds. He soon became famous as a writer on farming and allied topics and espe cially for his agricultural tours. He also car ried on an extensive correspondence with public men both at home and abroad, Washington being one of his correspondents. In 1784 he began the publication of his 'Annals of Agricul ture,' of which 46 volumes were issued. This work had the most important influence upon the art of agriculture in England and a consider able portion of it was translated into French under the auspices of the government. In 1793 he was appointed secretary of the newly erected board of agriculture, with a salary of f400 a year. Young not only visited and examined with great attention many parts of England and Ireland, but also made several tours on the Continent. His work was highly important. not only in its service to agriculture hut from the standpoint of social and political observation_ He became blind some years before his death.
Among his numerous works are 'The Farmer's Letters to the People of England' (1767; en larged edition 1777) ; Weeks' Tour through the Southern Counties' (1768) ; 'Six Months' Tour through the North of England' (1770); 'Farmer's Guide' (1770); 'Farmer's Tour through the East of England' (1771) ; 'The Farmer's Calendar' (1771); 'Tour in Ireland' (1780); 'Travels in France during the Years 1787-89' (1792-94); treating of agriculture and national resources, the social and political con dition of the people, the most trustworthy source of information regarding the state of France on the eve of the Revolution; 'Essays on Manures' (1804) ; 'The Rise of Prices in Europe' (1815). By order of the French Di rectory lus agricultural works were published in French in 20 volumes entitled 'Le Cultivateur Anglais' (1800-01). Consult Leslie, Stephen. 'Studies of a Biographer' (1898); his Auto biography edited by Miss Betham Edwards (1898) ; and bibliography by Anderson in Hutton's edition of 'Tour in Ireland' (1892).