Albert Hastings Markham - Family and Background

Family and Background

Albert Markham was the fifth son of Captain John Markham, who had retired from the navy because of ill health with the rank of lieutenant. His grandfather, William Markham had been Archbishop of York. Albert was born in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France where the family lived before moving to a farm on Guernsey. At age thirteen he was sent to London to live with his aunt, widow of his uncle David Markham who had been Canon of Windsor, at 4 Onslow Square. Neighbours included the explorer Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy and novelist William Thackeray.

He was educated at home and at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy. Markham's father was short of money for his education and had for some time been trying to find a naval officer willing to sponsor Albert for admission to the navy. He only did so after Albert had passed the normal entry age of fourteen, but by good luck the admiralty at that time had decided to experiment with accepting older cadets. His aunt's son Clements Markham, who was eleven years older than Albert, had also joined the navy before leaving to become a geographer and explorer. He became a lifelong friend to his cousin Albert and exerted a considerable influence on his career.

When away from Clements and his wife Ninna, who for much of his life he regarded as his only family, Albert was often moody, irritable and defensive. He had a strong sense of duty as a naval officer, which compelled him to serve with a strict adherence to rules and established practices, and strong religious convictions. He did not smoke, allowing that a gentleman might have an occasional cigar, but cigarettes were for effeminate weaklings and a black pipe ruined mind and body. He did not drink and disapproved of those who did. He found it difficult to socialise with other officers. He disliked the peacetime navy, with its endless social engagements, partying and ritual displays.

Markham's family emigrated to the United States and John Markham bought a farm at La Crosse in Wisconsin. Albert visited them twice and he was unimpressed. The trains were slow, the hotels disreputable, and travelling companions murderous. He was impressed by the wild grandeur and wildlife of the Mississippi valley and was invited to hunt with General Mackenzie in Indian territory. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting all manner of beasts. The only killing at which he showed disgust was the drawn out deaths of whales, which he saw on Arctic voyages.

He married Theodora Grevers in 1894, with whom he had one daughter.