G. P. Badger, a scholar, traveller and missionary : an assessment of his work

Abstract

George Percy Badger (1815 - 1888), clerk in Holy Orders, Arabist and lexicographer, had a very varied career. Beginning as a tradesman in the printing industry, he earned the esteem and, on occasion the disapprobation, of politicians, military leaders, fellow churchmen and scholars. He wrote almost forty works, major and minor, of which three have been considered of sufficient importance to scholars to have been reprinted during the last half century. Unusually for a person of little formal education and humble parentage, he received wide recognition as an Arabist, as an authority both on the Church of the East, generally known as the Nestorian Church, and on Islam. He was also much respected in the diplomatic field; especially where Middle Eastern affairs were concerned. This thesis examines Badger's works with special reference to those concerning the Arabic language or the Middle East. Such a study is thought to be particularly worthwhile in view of the neglect of his œuvre on the part of academic authors concerned with these areas of interest. So as to arrive at a balanced perspective. and evaluate his contribution to these disciplines, his works are categorized into three chapters, each discussing one aspect of Badger's output: 1. Arabic language, 2. religious thought. 3. politico-historical items. Within these classifications an attempt is made to show the progression of his ideas and achievements. When placed in their historical and geographical context, his writings on these varied spheres of activity may be considered to elevate Badger to a higher standing than was at first apparent. It is concluded that, because of lack of initial opportunity and through insufficient single mindedness Badger failed to scale the academic heights. Nevertheless, he proved himself, as an Arabist to be amongst the most able of practitioners. Indeed, he was possibly the most proficient Briton of his generation in the practical applications of Arabic.