Allan Octavian Hume Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Books, Death, Wife, Children

Allan Octavian Hume was a British civil servant, political reformer, and naturalist who played a pivotal role in the formation of the Indian National Congress, a significant political party in India.

Born on June 4, 1829, in London, Hume’s early life was marked by his education in medicine and surgery, followed by his service with the East India Company.

His tenure in India was characterized by his efforts to improve the administration and his deep involvement in the study of Indian ornithology.

Profile

• Full Name: Allan Octavian Hume
• Date of Birth: June 4, 1829
• Age as of 2025: 196 years (deceased)
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: London, England
• Nationality: British
• Profession: Civil Servant, Political Reformer, Ornithologist, Botanist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Joseph Hume (father), Maria Burnley (mother)
• Siblings: Mary Hume-Rothery (sister)
• Spouse: Mary Anne Grindall (married 1853)
• Children: Maria Jane “Minnie” Burnley Hume
• Relationship Status: Widowed
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: White
• Net Worth: $1 million (modern estimations)

Early Life and Education

Allan Octavian Hume was born on June 4, 1829, in London, England, as the eighth of nine children to Joseph Hume, a Radical member of Parliament, and Maria Burnley. Raised in a family with a strong political background, Hume was privately tutored until the age of eleven.

He later attended University College Hospital, where he studied medicine and surgery. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Haileybury College of the East India Company, preparing for a career in the Indian Civil Service. Early influences on Hume included political thinkers like John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer, who shaped his progressive views on governance and reform.

Personal Life

In 1853, Allan Octavian Hume married Mary Anne Grindall, known as Minnie. The couple had a daughter, Maria Jane “Minnie” Burnley Hume. After his wife died in 1890, Hume continued his work in India until 1894, when he returned to London. There, he remained active in political and scientific circles until his death on July 31, 1912.

Career

Hume joined the Bengal Civil Service in 1850 and was posted to Etawah, where he introduced reforms, including free primary education and the establishment of a local vernacular newspaper. His efforts during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 were notable; he ceased revenue collection to avoid provoking locals and worked towards restoring order.

Rising through the ranks, Hume became Secretary to the Department of Revenue, Agriculture, and Commerce in 1871. However, his outspoken criticism of British policies led to his removal from the Secretariat in 1879.

Beyond his administrative duties, Hume was a passionate ornithologist. He founded the journal Stray Feathers in 1872, which became a significant publication for Indian ornithology. Hume’s extensive bird collection, amassed through personal expeditions and a network of correspondents, was eventually donated to the British Museum.

Net Worth

As a high-ranking British civil servant and naturalist in the 19th century, his wealth would be modest by today’s standards—likely under $1 million in modern equivalent.

Death

Allan Octavian Hume passed away on July 31, 1912, in London, England.

Social Media

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Books

• My Scrap Book: Or Rough Notes on Indian Oology and Ornithology (1869)
• List of the Birds of India (1879)
• The Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds (3 volumes)
• The Game Birds of India, Burmah and Ceylon (1879–1881)
• Hints on Esoteric Theosophy (1882)
• Agricultural Reform in India (1879)
• Lahore to Yarkand: Incidents of the Route and Natural History of the Countries Traversed by the Expedition of 1870 under T. D. Forsyth
• Stray Feathers (11 volumes + index by Charles Chubb)