BOWRING, bon'ring. Sir Joux (1792-1872). An English politician, linguist, and author. Ile was born at Exeter, October 17, 1792. lie early devoted himself to the study of languages. in the acquisition of which lie displayed 1111 unusual degree of talent. The national poetry of diffe• ent peoples had great attraction for hint, and lie rendered valuable service to litemture by collect ing and translating both the inure ancient and the more modern popular poems of almost all the countries of Europe. Ile was very intimately as sociated with Jeremy Bentham. who appointed hint one of his executors, and intrusted him with the editing of his collected works. lie became the first editor of the Westminster Rerietr, estab lished in 1824. In 1825 he visited Holland, mid his letters—which appeared in the Morning Her ald, and were afterwards translated into Dutch proeu red for him the degree of doctor of laws from the University of Groningen. Subsequent travels were undertaken, on a commission from the British Government. to inquire into the com mercial relations of certain States. He visited Switzerland. Italy. Egypt. Syria. and finally the States of the German Zollrerein, and every where found materials for valuable reports. Ile
was a member of the House of Commons from 1835 to 1837, and again from 1541 to 1849, and actively promoted the adoption of free trade. In 1849. Bowring was appointed British Consul at Ilong Kong, and superintendent of trade in China He returned in 1853. and in the following year was made knightand subsequently Governor of Hong Kong. In 1856 an insult having been offered to a Chinese vessel, said to have been under the protection of the British flag, Bowring, without consulting the home Government, ordered an attack on certain Chinese forts—a proceeding which excited considerable dissatisfaction in the country and produced a ministerial crisis. In 1855 he concluded a commercial treaty with Siam. and gave an interesting account of his visit in The Kingdom and People of Siam. In 1858 he visited Manila. and afterwards published an account of the Philippine Islands. In 1861 Bow ring was sent on an official mission to Italy. He died November 23. 1872. Consult his Autobio graphical Rentiniseenecs (London, 1877).