Introduction

Edward James Corbett @ Jim CorbettConservationist, Hunter & Writer--------------------------


Edward James "Jim" Corbett (25 July 1875 – 19 April 1955) was an Indian-born British hunter, conservationist and naturalist, famous for slaying a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards in India.Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and worked for the Bengal and North Western Railway. However, Corbett was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces (now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand) to slay man-eating tigers and leopards who had killed people in the villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. Corbett was able to succeed in many cases where numerous others had failed. Between 1910 and 1938, Corbett shot much-feared man-eaters such as the Champawat Tiger, the Leopard of Rudraprayag, the Tigers of Chowgarh and the Panar Leopard, who had cumulatively killed over a thousand people. His success in slaying the man-eaters earned him much respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon, many of whom considered him a sadhu (saint).Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Maneaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination. The Corbett National Park in Kumaon is named in his honour.