James Horsburgh ( 1762 - 1836 )

Birth: Elie, Fife (23 September 1762) Death: 14 May 1836 Career: Went to sea on colliers and other trading vessels; captured by a French pirate and imprisoned at Dunkirk; sailed to the West Indies and Calcutta; was wrecked off the coral island Diego Garcia due to incorrect charts, which inspired him to study navigation; came to England (1796); ship Captain; wrote "Directions for sailing to and from the East Indies, China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope and interjacent ports"; Hydrographer, HEIC (1810) Membership: Fellow Election Date: 13/03/1806.