Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Capper, James

1326423Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 09 — Capper, James1887Charles John Robinson

CAPPER, JAMES (1743–1825), meteorologist, &c., younger brother of Francis Capper [q. v.], was born 15 Dec. 1743, and educated at Harrow School. He entered the Hon. East India Company's service at an early age, and attained the rank of colonel, holding for some time the post of comptroller-general of the army and fortification accounts on the coast of Coromandel. After retiring from military service he settled for some years in South Wales, taking much interest in meteorology and agriculture. Removing to Norfolk, he died at Ditchingham Lodge, near Bungay, 6 Sept. 1825.

James Capper wrote: 1. ‘Observations on the Passage to India through Egypt; also to Vienna through Constantinople and Aleppo, and from thence to Bagdad, and across the Great Desert to Bassora, with occasional Remarks on the adjacent Countries, and also Sketches of the different Routes,’ London, 1784, 4to, and 1785, 8vo. 2. ‘Memorial to the Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company,’ 1785 (privately printed). 3. ‘Observations on the Winds and Monsoons, illustrated with a chart, and accompanied with Notes, Geographical and Meteorological,’ London, 1801, 4to. 4. ‘Observations on the Cultivation of Waste Lands, addressed to the gentlemen and farmers of Glamorganshire,’ London, 1805. 5. ‘Meteorological and Miscellaneous Tracts applicable to Navigation, Gardening, and Farming, with Calendars of Flora for Greece, France, England, and Sweden,’ London, 1809, 8vo.

Capper, Louisa (1776–1840), was a daughter of Colonel James Capper, by his wife, Mary Johnson, and was born 15 Nov. 1776. She published in 1811 an ‘Abridgment of Locke's Essay concerning the Human Understanding,’ and died unmarried 25 May 1840. She was buried at Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

[Family memoranda; Gent. Mag. (1825), pt. ii. 381; Watt's Bibl. Brit.]

C. J. R.