Correspondence of James Silk Buckingham

The main theme of this series of letters is Buckingham's desire for Owen to subscribe to his journey overseas.

James Silk Buckingham, 1786–1855, writer and traveller. Buckingham spent much of his early life at sea; he travelled extensively in North Africa and the Middle East. He established journals in Calcutta and London; a critic of the East India Company, he promoted colonial self-government. In 1830, he published a "prospectus" for a government-sponsored voyage, but the scheme was later abandoned. He represented Sheffield in the first reformed parliament (1832-1837) - taking a special interest in social reform and the provision of public parks and libraries. Retiring from parliament, he traveled in Europe and North America. He remained interested in social questions; In 1847, he published a "quasi-socialist plan for a model town" and, in 1851, became president of the newly formed Temperance League.