ARNOLD, Thomas Walker. Devonport, Plymouth 19.4.1864 — Kensington, London 9.6.1930. Sir. British Historian of Islamic Art. Son of a Devonport businessman, Frederick Arnold and Matilda Christiana Sweet. The family moved to London and he was, educated at City of London School. From 1883 studied Classics and Oriental languages (Sanskrit from Cowell) at Cambridge (Magdalene College). From 1888 he taught at Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College, future Aligarh Muslim University), and from 1898 Professor of Philosophy at Government College in Lahore, then Dean of Oriental Faculty of Punjab University. In 1904-09 Assistant Librarian in India Office, then Educational Adviser to Indian students in Britain and 1917-20 Adviser to the Secretary of State for India. In 1921-30 Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at S.O.A.S. C.I.E. 1912, knighted 1921. Fellow of British Academy 1926. Hon. Ph.D. Prague German University. Married 1892 Celia Mary Hickson (1852–1931).
In India Arnold was a friend of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and at MAO Muhammad Iqbal was among his students. He knew Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit and many European languages.
Publications: With L. Binyon: The Court Painters of the Grand Moghuls. Oxford 1921.
– Survivals of Sasanian and Manichaean Art in Persian Painting. 23 p. 17 ill. Oxford 1924.
– The Library of A. Chester Beatty, a Catalogue of the Indian Miniatures. 1-3. L. 1936.
– Much on Near Eastern art and Islamic history, especially Painting in Islam. Oxford 1928, articles in E.R.E. and Encyclop. of Islam.
Sources: *I. Schoukine, RAA 6, 1929-30, 188-190; B.W. Robinson, Encyclop. Iranica 2:5, 1986, 517f. (online 2011); A. Stein, Proc. of Br. Acad. 16, 1930, 439-474; Wikipedia with photo.
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