James Franklin entered the service of the British East India Company as a cadet in 1805.
He served with distinction on various Indian surveys and was elected a member of the Royal Society.
He undertook surveys of the Central Provinces (Vindhya Hills) and collected birds for the Asiatic Society.
He is now recognised as the taxonomic authority for six species:[1][2] The specimens went to the Zoological Society of London but his paintings were stipulated to be returned to the Asiatic Society in Calcutta.
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