KEENE, Henry George. 30.9.1781 — Tunbridge Wells, Kent 29.1.1864. Rev. British Civil Servant and Oriental Scholar in India. Professor in Haileybury. Son of Thomas Keene and Jane Harris, grandson of the architect Henry Keene (1726–1776), privately educated. In 1798 joined the Indian Army and participated in the siege of Seringapatam in May 1799. He had health problems and in 1801 was transferred to Madras Civil Service through the influence of his uncle, Lord Harris. After College of Fort William, Calcutta, served in Madras until 1811 (with long interval in 1805-09 in Europe), when he returned to Europe. Graduated from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1815, resigned the I.C.S. and was ordained as priest in 1817. In 1824 he became Professor of Arabic and Persian and Registrar at Haileybury, but resigned in 1834. The rest of his life he spent in Tunbridge Wells. Married Anne Wheelwright (1792–1871), two sons (—> H. G. Keene, 1826–1915) and two daughters.

Publications: Edited and translated some Persian works, e.g. Persian Stories; Illustrative of Eastern Manners and Customs. 1835, 8th ed. L. 1846.

Sources: Buckland, Dictionary; H.G.K[eene, his son], D.N.B. 30, 305f.;Wikipedia.