Lieutenant colonel in the British Indian army and later surveyor general
of India Valentine Blacker was born on this day.
Born in Armagh, Northern Ireland, he joined the Madras Cavalry in 1798 and spent many years in the south of India.
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He was appointed surveyor general in 1823, and was stationed in Kolkata from that year toll 1826, when he died from a fever.
He is remembered for his contribution to the Great Trigonometrical Survey.
He is buried South Park Street Cemetery.
He was considered one of the best surveyor generals of India.
He wrote a book on the history of Maharashtra’s wars.