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Markham was born in Stillingfleet , Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. He was educated at Westminster School and joined the Royal Navy in 1844, became a midshipman in 1848. He was a member of a crew ostensibly sent to search for John Franklin in 1850, the explorer lost searching for a Northwest Passage in 1845, although few expected to find Franklin alive by this time, given the failure of previous rescue missions. On his return Markham was promoted to lieutenant but resigned from the Navy in 1852.
Following his retirement Markham explored the forests of the eastern Andes in Peru and is credited with introducing the cinchona tree (a source of quinine) to India and other British colonies, eventually alleviating rampant malaria problems. Markham was knighted for his efforts.
From 1865 to 1966 visited Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and India to report on cinchona plantations. He later worked as a geographer on a expedition to Abyssinia (now EthiopiaThe Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ityop'iya Amharic ) is a country of northeastern Africa. It has one of the most extensive known histories as an independent nation in the continent. Unique among African countries, the Ethiopian monarchy maintai). In 1874 he accompanied the Arctic expedition under Sir George NaresAdmiral Sir George Strong Nares, KCB, RN ( 24th April 1831- 1915) was a British naval officer and Arctic explorer. He was the son of another British naval captain, and was educated at the Royal Naval College. Nares's first experience of the Arctic came wh as far as Greenland, learning the Royal Naval way of Artic exploration that he continued to expound in later years, even when other nations had profitably learnt much from local people.
From 1867 to 1877 he was in charge of the geographical department of the Indian Office. He was secretary to the Hakluyt Society from 1858-1887, and became its president in 1890. From 1863-1888 he acted as secretary to the Royal Geographical Society, and on his retirement received the society's gold medal for his services to geography. He was elected president of the same society in 1893 and retained office for twelve years.
Polar exploration remained a key activity for the Society at that time and Markham co-ordinated the raising of funds for the National Antarctic Expedition under Captain Robert ScottThere are several individuals called Robert Scott including: Robert Falcon Scott Antarctic explorer Robert S. Scott Medal of Honor winner Robert Scott (VC the recipient of the Victoria Cross Robert C. Scott U. Congressman Robert W. Scott former governor o that set sail in 1901, from Government, industry and individuals.
Sir Clements Markham was elected Fellow of the Royal SocietyThe Royal Society of London is claimed to be the oldest learned society still in existence and was founded in 1660. The Royal Irish Academy, founded in 1782, is also closely affiliated with it. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (founded 1783) is a separate S in 1873; was made a CB in 1871, and a KCB in 1896. Markham died in 1916.