PORTNJAGIN, Pavel Konstantinovič. Vladivostok 1903 — Samarkand 1977. Pater. Russian Traveller. Born of a merchant family, interested early in Theosophy and eastern religions. During Russian civil war emigrated to China in 1922. In 1925-26 travelled in China and Mongolia, in 1926 joined in Urga the Roerich Central Asian expedition, until…
PORRU, Giulia. 1913 — 2000 (?). Italian Linguist. Studies at Florence, i.a. under Devoto. Ph.D. 1937 Florence, PD in glottologia 1943. Assistant of her teacher G. Devoto. From 1946 Professore indaricato di filologia Germanica at Florence, also taught general linguistics. She was the first Italian to show interest in phonology.…
POPE, John Van Someren. Plymouth 3.1.1850 — London 10.11.1936. British Teacher and Oriental Scholar. Son of —> G. U. Pope (1820–1908) and Henrietta van Someren. Studies at Cambridge, M.A. Teacher in Calcutta: Professor at Presidency College, from 1877 Public Inspector of Schools for Eastern Circe (1889 on furlough). Finally 1889-1906 Director…
POLOMÉ, Edgar Ghislain Charles. Molenbeck-Saint-Jean near Brussels 31.7.1920 — Houston 11.3.2000. Belgian Linguist in the U.S.A. Professor in Austin, Texas. Son of a Walloon father (Marcel Félicien Polomé) and Flemish mother (Berthe Henry). The family spoke French, but he went first to a Dutch school, secondary school in French. Studies at Free…
POITIERS, Thomas de. 16?? — ?.4.1742. Father. French Capuchin Missionary in India. Arrived in India in the 1690s, in 1715 in Madras. General supérieur of Capuchin missions on Coromandel coast in Pondichéry from before 1733 until death. He was involved in the quarrels between Jesuits and Capuchins. Perhaps he came…
POGSON, Wredenhall Robert. Sutton, Surrey 1.7.1787 — Sikraud, Benares 6.8.1843. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Bedingfield Pogson (1756–1799 or 1802) and Elizabeth Philadelphia Pearce (1755–1804). Cadet 1803, served in Bengal Army from 1805, Lieutenant-Colonel 1824. Married 1815 Anna Cordelia Queiros, 12 children. Thus e.g. WikiTree, but according to…
PLUNKETT, George Tindall. Islington, London 8.8.1842 — Surrey 2.5.1922. British Colonial Officer in India. Lieutenant-Colonel. Son of Valentine William Plunkett (1803–1888) and Marianne Tindall, educated at Woolwich Military Academy, entered army 1862. Colonel 1889, retired 1894. Director of Science and Art Institutions, Dublin in 1895-1907. C.B. 1901. Married 1865 Emily…
PLAYFAIR, John. Benvie, Forfarshire 10.3.1748 — Burntisland, Fife 20.7.1819. British (Scottish) Scientist and Mathematician. Son of Rev. James Playfair (d. 1772) and Margaret Young, educated at home. From the age of 14 studies at St.Andrews and Edinburgh, began with divinity, but turned to science. Worked as preacher and tutor, continuing…
PIGOU, Robert. Bengal 5.10.1816 — Afghanistan 24.2.1841, when 24. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Henry Minchin Pigou (1791–1874), of Bengal Civil Service, and Elizabeth Bird. Educated at Rugby, in 1830 joined E.I.C.’s army (sappers and miners), came to Bengal 1836. Lieutenant of Bengal Engineers. Killed by a premature…
PHILLIPS, Jeremiah. Plainfield, NY 5.1.1812 — Hillsdale, Mich. 9.12.1879. Rev. U.S. Baptist Missionary in India. Son of Parley Phillips (1765–1835) and Hannah Crumb, both died in 1835. Graduated from Hamilton Literary & Theological Institution (future Colgate University). In 1835 ordained priest and missionary. Arrived at Calcutta in 1836 and was…