CODRINGTON, Kenneth de Burgh. Murree, Punjab 5.6.1899 — Appledore, Devon 1.1.1986. British Archaeologist and Art Historian of India. Son of Lieutenant (then Major-General) Harry de B. C. of Indian army and Helen Maud Vaughan, grew up in the North-West Frontier. Educated at Sherborne School and Cadet College, Wellington, South India, then at Corpus Christi in Cambridge and Wadham College in Oxford. In 1917 joined Indian army as cavalry officer, invalided 1921. B.A. Cambridge 1921, M.A. Oxford 1926. Professor of Archaeology and Fellow of Graduate School at University of Cincinnati 1925-26. From 1931 Honorary Lecturer at University College and S.O.A.S. in London, from 1948 Professor of Indian Archaeology there. Retired in 1966, last years living in Appledore. In 1935-48 also Keeper of Indian Section in Victoria and Albert Museum. In 1940-42 on archaeological mission in Afghanistan, but in fact worked for British intelligence. In 1940 at Hackin’s excavations in Begram, in 1972 directed the excavations at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Married 1921 Elizabeth Gill and after divorce 1927 Philippa Christine. Among his students was Moti Chandra.
Publications: Ancient India from the earliest times to the Guptas with notes on the architecture and sculpture of the mediæval period. 15+65 p. 76 pl. L. 1926.
– An Introduction to the Study of Medieval Indian Sculpture. 31 p. 24 pl. L. 1929.
– An Introduction to the Study of Islamic Art of India. 1934 (?).
– The Study of Indian Art. 174 p. Chowkh. Skr. Studies 101. Varanasi 1988.
– The Woods of the Image. 251 p. L. 1934 and other works of fiction.
– Articles on art, archaeology, and numismatics, small notes in Man.
Sources: Who Was Who 1981-1990; stray notes in Internet; Wikipedia; two photos in National Portrait Gallery (in www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp77541/kenneth-de-burgh-codrington); J. Crowden in appledorehistory.org.uk.
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