PEARSON, James (Jim) Douglas. Cambridge ?.12.1911 — Cambridge 1.8.1997. British Librarian, Specialist of Asian Books. Of humble origins, grew up in Cambridge and was employed from the age of 16 as bookfetcher in the University Library there. He developed a taste for “exotic languages” and won a scholarship for Hebrew at St. John’s College. Then studied Arabic and Persian at Pembroke College, graduated 1936. In 1936-41 again worked in Cambridge University Library and, after war service, 1945-50, as assistant Under-Librarian. In 1950-72 Librarian of S.O.A.S., from 1959 also teaching, then 1972-77 Senior Fellow and Professor of Bibliography there. Retired 1979 and returned to Cambridge, but continued as the editor of Index Islamicus until 1982. Died of stroke. Twice married, first with Rose Betty Burden (marriage dissolved), one son, then with Hilda Wilkinson who fully assisted him in his bibliographical work, three sons.
Publications: Edited: A Bibliography of Pre-Islamic Persia. 29+288 p. Persian Studies Series 2. L. 1975.
– Edited: South Asian Bibliography. A Handbook and Guide. 381 p. Sussex 1979.
– A guide to manuscripts and documents in the British Isles relating to South and South-East Asia. 1-2. 319+337 p. L. 1989-90.
– Founder and editor of Index Islamicus (1958–) and wrote much on Islamic bibliography.
Sources: *B.C. Bloomfield (ed.), Middle East Studies and Libraries: A Felicitation Volume for Professor J.D.P. London 1980 (with bibliography by A. Walsh, 225-231); *G. Roper, MELA Notes 65-66, 1998, 61-66; www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-professor-j-d-pearson-1244502.html; Wikipedia with photo.
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