The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

REVIEWS 437
D.G.E. Hall, Henry Burney: A Political Biography (London: Oxford
University Press, 1974), pp. xv, 331, maps, bibliography, index.
This book deserves our attention for two simple reasons.
First,
the author is one of the greatest Southeast Asian historians of our time.
All students of Southeast Asian history, to pass a course of study, must
first familiarize themselves with his works, especially his master piece,
A History of South-East Asia (1955 ), which is widely acknowledged as
indispensable for basic understanding of Southeast Asian bistorical
background, and which bas been a compulsory text and reference since
its first publication two decades ago.
The second reason why Professor Hall's new book is important
lies in the importance of its central figure, Captain (later Major) Henry
Burney, who was, in Professor Hall's words, ''one of the most noteworthy
servants of the East India Company of his time, [and] one who ... came
to play a markedly important part in the histories of two South-East
Asian kingdoms, Siam and Burma". (Preface, p. ix). ,Henry Burney was
born in Culcutta, at that time the seat of the Supreme Government of
India, in 1792, to one prestigious scholar family of Great Britain.
father, Richard Thomas Burney, was Master of the Company's Orphan
School in Bengal. This background greatly influenced Henry Burney's
professional life as a career diplomat, orientalist and humanist.
He entered the Company's Military service in 1807.
clear that at this time be began to develop his scholarship.
His
It is quite
appointment during 181 Os brought him into contact with Southeast Asia
and its civilization for the first time. Soon afterwards, this region
became his main interest. This interest, in turn, served him well as a
diplomat deputed by the Governor General of India to the two most
powerful courts of mainland Southeast A&ia-Bangkok and Ava.
In 18 25, the British found their newly established but substantial
inAuen~e and interest in Southeast Asia in a critical position. After
the recent failure of John Crawfurd's missi:>n, new developments called
for another mission to be sent to make a treaty on friendly terms with
the Starnese court.
His
After serving at Penang for several years, Henry