NESFIELD, John Collinson. Stratton St.Margaret, Wiltshire 14.8.1836 — Ealing, London 28.6.1919. British Teacher in India. Son of a cleric, Robert Carles N., and Eleanor Dale Collinson. Educated at Highgate Grammar School, teacher there 1859-64. Studies at Merton College, Oxford, B.A. 1860. M.A. 1862. Curate in Highgate, London, 1867 entered Indian service, first in Bengal. In 1872-74 Director of Public Instruction for Lower Burma, then in Oudh. From 1978 principal of Benares Sanskrit College. From 1892 Director of Public Instruction for NW Provinces and Oudh, retired 1894. Fellow of Allahabad University 1887. Married Ellen Blumhardt, a missionary, ten children.
Nesfield had practical interest in anthropology and pointed out that the rigid application of caste system in British administration did not suit well to North-Western Provinces.
Publications: Much used textbooks of English for Indian schools.
– With Pt. Deviprasada: Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts Existing in Oudh. Fasc. 10. Calcutta 1878.
– An Essay on the Kanjar Tribe. 1882.
– The Function of Modern Brahmins in Upper India. Calcutta 1887.
– Brief View of the Caste System of the N.W. Provinces and Oudh. 5+132 p. Allahabad 1885 (based on census reports).
– Description of the Origin, Industries, Manners and Religion of the Mushera Tribe of Central and Upper India. 53+67 p. Calcutta 1888.
Sources: Wikipedia with photo; geni.com.
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