LAMAIRESSE, Pierre Eugène. Châlons-sur-Marne (now Châlons-en-Champagne) 14.7.1817 — Marengo (Hadjout), Algeria 17.4.1898. French Engineer interested in India. The youngest son of Jean-Baptiste-Cyprien L., an agriculturalist, studied at École polytechnique and became a hydraulic engineer. Served as engineer in French India in 1860–66 working on dams and other irrigation projects in…
LAIDLAY, John Watson. Glasgow 27.3.1808 — 8.3.1885. British (Scottish) Archaeologist and Numismatist in India. Son of John L., a businessman, and Elizabeth Watson, educated in London. Studied chemistry under Faraday, then, for India, Hindustani in London under Gilchrist. At 17 in 1825 went to India, employed in the mercantile house…
KUDRJAVCEV, Mihail Konstantinovič. Orenburg 31.12.1910 (11.1.1911) — 4.3.1992. Russian Ethnographist of South Asia. Son of official. In 1929-32 studied at Leningrad Topographical Technical School and worked then as topographer in Yakutia. Soon became interested in ethnography and graduated 1939 from Leningrad University (Historical Faculty). Participated in the WW II in…
KRISTIANSEN, Knut. 16.5.1928 — Oslo Early July 1999 (when 71). Norwegian Indo-Iranian Linguist. Grew up in Raufoss. Student of Morgenstierne at Oslo. From 1971 until his retirement in 1998 taught Hindi, Urdu and other South Asian languages as Universitetslektor at University of Oslo. Several visits to South Asia, beginning in…
KRASNODEMBSKIJ, Valerij Evgen’evič. Kagul, Moldova 2.12.(15.12.)1907 — Penza 16.5.1942. Russian Indologist. Son of a lawyer. After studies at Odessa worked in Tashkent. From 1926 studied Indology at Leningrad. Graduated 1930 from Leningradskij Vostočnyj Institut. Docent 1935. In 1932-38 taught at Leningradskij Vostočnyj Institut and in 1934-42 at Leningrad University. In…
KONOW, Sten. Søndre Aurdal, Valdres 17.4.1867 — Oslo 29.6.1948. Norwegian Indo-Iranian Scholar. Professor in Oslo. Born in Central Norway as the son of minister Wollert Otto K. (of a merchant family from Bergen) and Anne Heyerdahl. Educated in Lillehammer, matriculated in 1884. Studies of classical and Germanic philology (under S.…
KLIMKEIT, Hans-Joachim. Ranchi, India 22.7.1939 — 7.2.1999. German scholar of Comparative, Indian and Central Asian Religions. Professor in Bonn. Son of a missionary, Johannes Kl. of Gossner Mission. Grew up in India, after internment camp during war school in Kodaikanal and Darjeeling. Came to Germany in 1955. After matriculation 1958…
KIRKPATRICK, William. Ireland (?) 1754 — Exeter 22.8.1812. British (Irish) Colonial Officer in India. Son of Colonel James K. (1739–1818) of Madras Cavalry, and Katherine Monro. Himself became cadet in 1771 and 1773 joined the Bengal Infantry. He was Persian Interpreter to General Stibbert, the Commander in Chief in Bengal…
KING, Lucas White. Madras 28.9.1856 — Craig Veigh (or Aboyne), Deeside 23.8.1925. Sir. British (Anglo-Irish) Civil Servant in India, Oriental Scholar, Historian and Numismatist. Professor in Dublin. Son of Deputy Surgeon-General Henry King and Sophie Eccleston. Sent to Ireland in 1864, educated at Ennis College and Dublin University. B.A. &…
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…