Dictionary of Indian Biography/Turner, Samuel
TURNER, SAMUEL (1749? or 1759–1802)
Traveller and diplomatist: born about 1749 or 1759: connected with Warren Hastings: entered the military service of the E. I. Co., 1780, and was Captain in 1799: was sent by Warren Hastings on an embassy to Tibet, from Jan. 1783, to March, 1784: he travelled through Tassisudon, Bhutan, to Tashilhunpo, near Shigatze, Terpaling, and back to Punakha in Bhutan. The object of the Mission was to offer congratulations on the incarnation of the young Teshu Lama and to continue friendly relations with the Tibet Government. Turner was subsequently at Cornwallis' siege of Seringapatam in 1792, and was afterwards deputed as Ambassador to Mysore : for his conduct, he was rewarded by the E. I. Co.: on his return to England, he published his Account of an Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet, 1800: was F.R.S.: died Jan. 2, 1802.