James Leander Cathcart (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! James Leander Cathcart (1 June 1767 - 6 October 1843) was a diplomat, slave, and sailor. He is notable for his narrative as a slave in Algiers for eleven years. Cathcart was born in Mount Murragh, County Westmeath, Ireland and emigrated to the North American colonies at eight years of age, under the care of a relative, Captain John Cathcart. He joined the American Revolution and at the age of twelve served on a privateer. Three years later as a midshipman on The Confederacy, he was captured by the British and imprisoned on the prisoner ships, The Good Hope and Jersey from which he escaped in 1782. He became fluent in Spanish and French, which he learned from fellow prisoners during his three year internment.