Christopher Biden

Christopher Biden (25 February 1858) was a British sea captain who worked for the East India Company. He came from the village of Houghton in Huntingdonshire. Retiring after more than twenty years at sea, he wrote a book about naval discipline, made two voyages in his own ship to India, and then settled in Madras as a civil servant of the East India Company.

Early life and family John Biden held the lease of Houghton Mill, a watermill on the Great Ouse in Huntingdonshire. It is now a National Trust property and a Grade II* listed building.

Biden was born in Houghton, Huntingdonshire, England. Biden's father, John Biden, leased Houghton Mill. Biden and his younger brother William Henry Biden went to sea at a young age, their father having died in 1797 and was buried in St Mary’s Church, Houghton. An older brother, Henry Lloyd, went to Cambridge University and became a clergyman. In 1818 Biden married Harriott Freeth in Great Wilne, a village in Derbyshire close to the town of Sandiacre where his brother was curate.

Career

Between 1807 and 1818 Biden completed seven return voyages to India as a mate on the East Indiaman Royal George. By 1821 he was captain of the East Indiaman Princess Charlotte of Wales. Between 1821 and 1830 he completed four voyages to India as captain of the Princess Charlotte and one voyage to China as captain of the new Royal George. Biden then spent two years in Blackheath with his family, publishing a book on naval discipline in 1830.

Death

Biden died at Madras in February 1858 at the age of 68 and was commemorated by a plaque in St George's Cathedral.

Selected publications Naval Discipline: Subordination Contrasted with Insubordination