James Rennell
English geographer, historian and oceanographer (1742-1830) · Writers · Died at 87
Major James Rennell was an English geographer, historian and a pioneer of oceanography. Rennell produced some of the first accurate maps of Bengal at one inch to five miles as well as accurate outlines of India and served as Surveyor General of Bengal. Rennell has been called the Father of Oceanography.
James Rennell is read about 21 times a day, in 15 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 15 June 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Photos 11
Map of Hindoostan, 1782![The cartouche of the 1782 map depicts, according to Rennell: "Brittannia receiving into her Protection, the sacred Books of the Hindoos, presented by the Pundits, or Learned Bramins: in Allusion to the humane Interposition of the British Legislature in Favor of the Natives of Bengal, in the Year 1781. Brittannia is supported by a Pedestal, on which are engraven the Victories, by means of which the British Nation obtained, and has hitherto upheld, its Influence in India: amongst which, the two recent ones of Porto Novo and Sholingur, gained by General [Eyre] Coote, are particularly pointed out by a Sepoy to his Comrade."](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Britannia_detail%2C_Hindoostan_%2820118721954%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Britannia_detail%2C_Hindoostan_%2820118721954%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The cartouche of the 1782 map depicts, according to Rennell: "Brittannia receiving into her Protection, the sacred Books of the Hindoos, presented by the Pundits, or Learned Bramins: in Allusion to the humane Interposition of the British Legislature in Favor of the Natives of Bengal, in the Year 1781. Brittannia is supported by a Pedestal, on which are engraven the Victories, by means of which the British Nation obtained, and has hitherto upheld, its Influence in India: amongst which, the two recent ones of Porto Novo and Sholingur, gained by General [Eyre] Coote, are particularly pointed out by a Sepoy to his Comrade."
Awards
About this person
In 1830, he was one of the founders of the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1742 to 1830 · aged 87
