Sir James Emerson Tennent, 1st Baronet FRS (1804-1869) was colonial secretary of Ceylon in 1845, remaining until 1850. His account of Ceylon proved so popular that five editions, variously revised, were published in eight months. It contains many aspects of Ceylon with chapters on the geology, climate, flora and fauna, history, religion, farming, commerce, the arts, science, Portuguese, Dutch and English, elephants, forest, and ruined cities. This stunning set is from the private Library at Somerhill Park belonging to Sir Isaac Goldsmid with 2 custom bookplates engraved by Wyon inked with the initials I.G. Ceylon, An Account of the Island, James Emerson Tennent – 1859
