Major Jim Corbett

The author and main character of Man-Eaters of Kumaon is Colonel (then Major) Edward James Corbett, otherwise known as Jim. Born in Nainital, India, near most of his activities in the book, Corbett is a British citizen though largely lifelong resident of the Kumaon district of the now Indian state of Uttarakhand. Corbett is most well known for his excellent hunting skills particularly with respect to killing dozens of man-eating tigers and leopards in Northern India.

The then United Provinces government (contemporary states of both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand) often hires Corbett to hunt leopards and tigers in their provinces, particularly upon receiving reports from local villagers about something being mauled or killed by one of these animals. Between 1907 and 1938, Corbett is the main man for the job, killing 19 tigers and 14 leopards that together kill over twelve hundred people. The story of his first kill is...