Benjamin Bathurst (March 18, 1784 - 1809?) was a British diplomatic envoy who disappeared in Germany during the Napoleonic Wars. He was the third son of Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich.
Bathurst disappeared on or about 25 November 1809, sparking much debate and speculation about his ultimate fate. Recent research suggests the circumstances of Bathurst's disappearance were wildly exaggerated, and that he was almost certainly murdered.
Benjamin B...
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Benjamin Bathurst (March 18, 1784 - 1809?) was a British diplomatic envoy who disappeared in Germany during the Napoleonic Wars. He was the third son of Henry Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich.
Bathurst disappeared on or about 25 November 1809, sparking much debate and speculation about his ultimate fate. Recent research suggests the circumstances of Bathurst's disappearance were wildly exaggerated, and that he was almost certainly murdered.
Benjamin Bathurst entered the diplomatic service at an early age and was promoted to the post of Secretary of the British Legation at Leghorn. In 1805 he married Phillida Call, daughter of Sir John Call, a Cornish landowner and baronet.
In 1809, he was despatched to Vienna as an envoy by his relative Henry Bathurst, pro tempore Secretary for Foreign Affairs. His mission was to assist in the reconstruction of Britain and Austria's alliance and to try to encourage Emperor Francis II to declare war on France, which the Emperor did in April.
However, the...
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