James Holman ( 1786 - 1857 )

Birth: Fore Street, Exeter, Devon, England (15 October 1786) Death: His lodgings near the Minories, London (28 or 29 July 1857) Burial: Highgate Cemetery, London Career: Son of a Chymist and Surgeon'. In 1798, at age 12, entered the Royal Navy as a volunteer first class, the entry level for future officers; Lieutenant (1807); became blind (at age 25).