VALENTIJN, François. Dordrecht 17.4.1666 — the Hague 6.8.1727. Dutch Priest and Naturalist. Son of a school director. Studied theology and philosophy at Leiden and Utrecht. From 1684 spent 16 years as minister in Dutch Indonesia, mainly in Ambon, where he befriended with Rumphius. After ten years in the Netherlands returned…
RUBINO, Giovanni Antonio. Strambino (Turin) 1.3.1578 — Mount Unzen (Nagasaki), Japan 16.3.1643. S.J. Italian Missionary in India. Novice 1596, studies in Milano. Sailed from Lisbon in 1602. Ordained priest 1605 in Goa. Worked in Jesuit academies in Goa, Madras (1613-17), Cochin (1617-19, 1627-37), Colombo (1619-23), Tuticorin (1623-27), teaching mathematics, soon also theology.…
RHEEDE TOT DRAKENSTEIN, Hendrik Adrian van. Utrecht 13.4.1636 — on sea off Bombay 15.12.1691. Dutch Colonial Administrator and Botanist. Son of Ernst van Rheede and Elisabeth van Utenhove (d. 1637), a noble family, lost early his both parents. In 1656 joined Dutch E.I.C. as a soldier and went to India. In 1670-76 Governor…
POITIERS, Thomas de. 16?? — ?.4.1742. Father. French Capuchin Missionary in India. Arrived in India in the 1690s, in 1715 in Madras. Supérieur of Capuchin missions on Coromandel coast in Pondichérey from before 1733 until death. He was involved in the quarrels between Jesuits and Capuchins. Publications: Le Paganisme des Indiens…
PHILIPPUS A SANCTISSIMA TRINITATE (Philippe de la Très Sainte-Trinité, lay Julien Esprit). Malaucène near Avignon 1603 — Naples 28.2.1671. French Discalced Carmelite Theologian and Missionary. Joined the order in Lyon, 1621, studied in Paris and Rome for missionary career. In 1629 left for Palestine and proceeded then via Persia to…
PELSAERT, Francisco. 159? — Batavia ?.9.1630. Dutch Factor in India and Indonesia. From Antwerpen. In 1618 sailed to the East as Assistant, the lowest grade of the Dutch E.I.C.’s service. In 1620 promoted to junior factor (onderkoopman) and posted to India. Travelled overland from the east coast to Surat and…
OVINGTON, John. Melsonby, Yorkshire bapt. 5.3.1653 — ?.6.1731. Rev. English Priest and Traveller. Son of James and Mary O., a family of yeoman-farmers. Studies at Trinity College, Dublin from 1671, B.A. 1675, M.A. 1678. Then at St. John’s College, Cambridge. His ordination and life in next years remein unknown. When…
OGILBY, John. Killemeare (Kirriemuir) 17.11.1600 — London 4.9.1676. British (Scottish) Author, Translator and Cartographer. An accident ended his early career as a dancer, then worked as tutor in Dublin where he also founded Ireland’s first theatre. After a while in Cambridge lived in London concentrating on literary work. He also…
METHWOLD (Method), William. Baptized South Pickenham near Swaffham, Norfolk 1590 — Kensington 5.3.1653. British Merchant and Traveller in India. Son of Thomas M. and Susanna Hogan. Aged 16 he was apprenticed to a merchant, served four years in London and five in Middelburg, the Netherlands. In 1615 accepted as Persian linguist in…
MAFFEI, Giovanni Pietro (Giampietro). Bergamo 1533 — Tivoli 20.10.1603. S.J. Italian Jesuit Historian. Born in a noble family living in poverty. Educated by his uncles and in Rome. From 1563 worked as Professor of Rhetorics in Genua, before joining Jesuits in 1565. From now studies in Rome, ordained 1571. In 1579-84…