A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Holman, James
HOLMAN, K.W., F.R.S. (Lieutenant, 1807.)
James Holman is brother of Capt. Wm. Holman, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy, 7 Dec. 1798, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Royal George 100, Capt. Chas. Morice Pole, bearing the flag in the Channel of Lord Bridport; served, from Sept. 1799 until April, 1805, in the Cambrian 40, Capts. Hon. Arthur Kaye Legge, Geo. Henry Towry, Wm. Bradley, and John Poo Beresford, on the Home and North American stations; then joined in succession the Leander 50, Capts. John Talbot and Henry Whitby, and Cleopatra 32, of which frigate, commanded by Capts. John Wight, Love, and Simpson, he was created a Lieutenant 27 April, 1807; and from Oct. 1808 to Nov. 1810, when he invalided, was employed in the Guerrière frigate, Capts. Alex. Skene, Robt. Lloyd, and Sam. John Pechell, stationed, as was also the Cleopatra, on the coast of North America. He has since been on half-pay.
Lieut. Holman (who is totally deprived of sight, and whose extensive peregrinations have procured him the title of the “Blind Traveller”) has been a Naval Knight of Windsor since the commencement of the peace. He is the author of ‘A Narrative of a Journey taken in the years 1819-20-21 through France, Italy, Savoy, &c.,’ published in 1822; and also of ‘A Voyage round the World, including Travels in Africa, Asia, Australia, and America,’ published in 1834-5, in 4 volumes.