AINSWORTH (William).
Researches in Assyria, Babylonia and Chaldaea; forming part of the labours of the Euphrates Expedition.
“Ainsworth was one of the founding members of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1835 he was appointed surgeon and geologist to the Euphrates expedition. This account of the geological work of the expedition is dedicated to Francis Chesney head of the expedition. Ainsworth produced this work very quickly, long before Chesney’s own account had appeared” (Atabey).
The expedition was intended to “examine the feasibility of opening up the Mesopotamian rivers to steam navigation as a new route to India, as well as asserting British political presence in the area, promoting British commercial ties, and gathering scientific and archaeological data” (ODNB).
Atabey, 10.