VALENTIJN, François (Franciscus). Dordrecht 17.4.1666 — the Hague 6.8.1727. Dutch Priest and Naturalist. Son of school director Abraham V. and Maria Rijsbergen. 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…
UPJOHN, Aaron. 17?? — 1???. British Printer in India. Arrived at Calcutta in 1785 as ship’s musician (bassoon player). There he became printer and part owner of the Calcutta Chronicle. Bankrupt in 1792. He printedthe very first Bengali–English dictionary ever published in his own name, but it is claimed that the real…
TAYLOR, John William. London 12.4.1782 — at sea off Sangar Island at the mouth of the Hoogli 20.7.1824. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of James Owen T. and Christiana Dixon. As captain, in 1808-23 Professor of Hindustani at Fort William College. Major 181?. Married Emma Maud Mary Gould, children. Publications: Nothing found.…
TAYLOR, Joseph Irwin. Ireland 1765/66 — 1811. British Colonial Officer in India. Born in Ireland, in an originally English Unitarian family. Went to India in 1783, advanced to Major (or Colonel?). Served in Bengal. According to 1808 title the dictionary was “originally compiled for his own private use, by Capt. Joseph…
SYDENHAM, George. Madras 23.10.1785 — 1863. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Major-General William S. and Amelia Prime. As Captainworked for Major Colin Mackenzie’s survey of the Deccan. His brother, Thomas S., was British Resident in Haidarabad in 1805-10, probably G.S. was Persian interpreter there. Then in 1814/18 he…
SWINEY, John. Edmonton, Middlesex 1783? — Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 24.12.1870. British Physician in India. Dr.med. In Indian Medical Service, served over 36 years (until 1838?), and then lived for 33 years more (possibly in New South Wales). Twice married (2nd time 1835 in Calcutta). In Karnal he achieved a large collection…
STRACHEY, Edward. Somerset 18.12.1774 — London 3.1.1832. British Civil Servant in India. Second son of Sir Henry Strachey, Bart. (1736–1810), and Jane Kelsall. The father had been Clive’s secretary in India. Himself served in India in diplomatic and judicial offices in Bengal and was a close friend of Elphinstone. Returned…
STEWART, Charles. Lisburn, Antrim 1764 — Bath 19.4.1837. British Colonial Officer and Oriental Scholar in India. Son of Captain Poyntz St., in 1781 joined E.I.C.’s army as cadet. Served in Upper India and Rohilkhand. From 1800-06 taught Persian at Fort William College. In 1805 the College sent him to Mysore…
STACY, Lewis Robert. Oxford 11.12.1787 — Neemuch (Nimach), M.Pr. 18.7.1848. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Rev. Henry Peter Stacy and Ann Keele. Joined E.I.C.’s army in 1804, served in different parts of northern India. Lieutenant-Colonel of Bengal Native Infantry. Married, three daughters. Publications: “Note on the Discovery of a…
SPRING, Francis. 17?? — 18??. Rev. British (?) Missionary of Church Missionary Society in India. M.A. Chaplain of Madras Army in Tellicherry from before 1817, when he founded a school there. Returned in 1824. The first name is somewhat uncertain, some Internet sources call him Frederic James. On his book’s…