RANKING, George Speirs Alexander. Hastings, Sussex 1.1.1852 — Caversham, Berkshire 14.6.1934. British Physician and Oriental Scholar in India. Son of Robert Ranking (1785–1867) and Isabella Spiers (1810–1883). Educated at Aldenham School in Hertfordshire and St.Catharine’s College in Cambridge, studied medicine in London. In 1875-1905 in Indian Medical Service, finally as Lieutenant-Colonel. M.A. Then 1905-20 University Lecturer in Persian at Ballioll College, Oxford. In 1920-22 Professor of Persian at Calcutta. Married Elizabeth Mannsell, four sons.
Publications: Translated with W. H. Lowe and W. Haig: Muntakhabu-t-tawārīkh of al-Badāonī. 1-3. B.I. Calcutta 1886-1925 (vol. 1 with 3+637+163 p. by Ranking).
– With R. F. Azoo: Ahsānu-t-taqāsīm fī maʻrifati-l-aqālīm; known as al-Muqaddasī. Translated from the Arabic. 331 p. Bibl. Ind. Calcutta 1897.
– A Guide to Hindustani. 252 p. Calcutta 1895; Introductory Exercises in Urdu Prose Composition. 151 p. Calcutta 1896; Urdu–English Primer, for the Use of the Colonial Artillery. 1899; English–Hindustani Dictionary. 5+758 p. Calcutta & L. 1905.
– Edited: Mīr Bahādur ‘Ali Ḥusain, The Nasr-i-be Nazīr, one of the text Books for the High Proficiency Examination in Urdu. Calcutta 1902.
– Annotated Glossary to the Bagh-o-bahar. The Text Book for the Examination by the Higher and Lower Standarts in Urdu. 1-2. Calcutta 1902.
– A Primer of Persian: Containing Selections for Reading and Composition with the Elements of Syntax. 72 p. Oxford 1907; a few further works.
Sources: Stray notes in Internet (in some his second name is given as Spiers).
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