KNOX, Robert. London 8.2.1641 — Wimbledon, London 19.6.1720. British (Scottish) Traveller. In South Asia in 1657-94 (1659-79 prisoner in Ceylon). Son of Robert Knox, a Puritan and commander in E.I.C.’s service. Grew up in Wimbledon, Surrey. After mother’s death sailed with his father in January 1657 to Fort George. On…
KIRCHER, Athanasius. Geisa near Fulda 2.5.1602 — Rome 27.11.1680. Father. S.J. German Polyhistor and Oriental Scholar, a Pioneer of Coptology, a Precursor of Egyptology, a Sinologist, etc. Son of Johann K., Doctor of Divinity and teacher of Benedictines. Novice of S.J. 1618 in Paderborn, took his first vows 1620. In…
KETELAAR, Joan Josua (Johann Joshua K., Kettler, Kessler). Elbing, East Prussia (now Elbląg in Poland) 1659 — Bandar Abbas 1716. German Traveller. Son of Josua Kettler, a bookbinder, apprenticed to the same craft, but accused for stealing and attempted murder of his master had to escape to Stockholm. From 1682…
HYDE, Thomas. Billingsley near Bridgnorth, Shropshire 29.6.1636 — Oxford 18.2.1703. English Oriental (Arabic and Persian) Scholar, a Pioneer of Zoroastrian Studies. Professor in Oxford. Son of Ralph Hyde, vicar of Billingsley, and Anne Jennings, educated at Eton. In the age of 16 began Arabic studies at Cambridge under Wheelock. He…
HOUTMAN, Frederick de. Gouda 1571 — Alkmaar 21.10.1627. Dutch Traveller. Son of Pieter Cornelisz de H., a brewer, and Agnes Frederiksd., younger brother of —> C. de H. and his companion in Lisbon and in Asian voyages. When the brother was killed he remained alive and was 26 months kept…
HOFFMANN, Johann Christian. Bischhausen bei Eschwege, Hessen 1651 — Heckershausen bei Kassel 1682. German Traveller in India. In his voyage 1671-76 he visited Cape Colony, Mauritius, India and Indonesia, in a Dutch East Indian Company’s ship. Back in Germany he was preacher in Heckerhausen. Publications: Oost-Indianische Voyage; oder Eigentliches Verzeichnüs,…
HERBERT, Thomas. York 1606 — York 1.3.1682. Sir, First Baronet. British Traveller in Persia and India. Son of Christopher H., a merchant, and Jane Akroyd, of a Yorkshire family related to the Earls of Pembroke. Perhaps studied at both Oxford and Cambridge. In 1627 he joined the suite of Sir…
HAWKINS, William (Hawkyns). 15?? — autumn 1613. British Traveller. Of unknown origin, probably not the same as W.H., the nephew of Sir John H., who in 1582 sailed to the east under Edward Fenton (but only reached Brazil). Our W.H. had been in the East before as he already knew…
JOURDAIN, John. 15?? — 17.7.1619. British Traveller in India. Son of John J., a merchant and mayor of Lyme Regis in Dorset. In 1595 trading in the Azores. Participated in the English Indian voyage of 1608, remained in Surat when others went to the Mughal court (—> Hawkins). In 1610…
JAGER, Herbert de. Zwammerdam near Leiden 1636 (1637?) — Batavia (Jakarta) 6.1.1694. Dutch Priest and Traveller. Son of a farmer. Studies of theology, of mathematics, botany, astronomy and Oriental languages (under Golius) at Leiden in 1657-62. In service of the Dutch E.I.C. in 1662-94, first in Batavia, 1666-70 in Persia…