Hanway, Jonas

Hanway, Jonas an English philanthropist, was 'born at Portsmouth in 1712. He established himself as a merchant at St. Petersburg, and became connected, through his Russian dealings, with the trade into Persia. Business having led him into that country, he published in 1753 A historical Account of the British

Trade over the Caspian Sea, with a Journal of Travels from London through Russia into Persia (4 vols. 4to), "a work of no pretension to literary elegance, but containing much information on the commercial subjects of which he speaks, and on the history and manners of Persia. The latter part of his life was employed in supporting, by his pen and personal exertions, a great variety of-charitable and philanthropic schemes; and he gained so high and honorable a name that a deputation of the chief merchants of London made it their request to government that some substantial mark of public favor should be conferred on him. He was, in consequence, made a commissioner of the navy. The Marine Society and the Magdalen Charity, both still in existence, owe their establishment mainly to him; he was also one of the great promoters of Sunday-schools. He died in 1786." He published also The Importance of the Lord's Supper (London, 1782, 12mo): — Reflections on Life and Religion (Lond. 1761), 2 vols. 8vo). See Pugh, Remarkable Occurrences in the Life of Jonas Hanway (London, 1787, 8vo); English Cyclopedia; Allibone, Dictionary of Authors, 1, 782.