ROBERTSON, Elphinstone Pourtales. 1831 — Middlesex 30.1.1912. British Civil Servant in India. Educated at Haileybury. Arrived at Bombay in 1851, worked in Surat, Ahmedabad, Colaba, etc. in Gujarat, from 1869 in Dharwar. From 1876 Revenue and Police Commissioner for Southern Division, 1878 Commissioner of Central Division. Retired 1886. Publications: Vocabulary English…
RICHARDSON, David Thomas. Langholm, Dumfriesshire 176? — on sea ?.11.1808. British (Scottish) Colonial Officer in India. Son of Gilbert Richardson (1722–1783) and Susanna Scott (d. 1775). Like several of his brothers he went to India as cadet in 1779. Learned soon Persian and Hindustani. In 1799 came to England accompanied by…
REYNOLDS, M. C. 1??? — 1???. Mrs. “An old resident”. We may perhaps conclude that she was married with an officer or civil servant and therefore probably a Britishwoman. Publications: Household Hindustani. A Manual for New-comers, Specially Adapted for Ladies’ use. Calcutta 1886 and several editions. Sources: She seems to be impossible to…
RANKING, George Speirs Alexander. Hastings, Sussex 1.1.1852 — Caversham, Berkshire 14.6.1934. British Physician and Oriental Scholar in India. Son of Robert Ranking (1785–1867) and Isabella Spiers (1810–1883). Educated at St.Catharine’s College in Cambridge, studied medicine in London. In 1875-1905 in Indian Medical Service, finally as Lieutenant-Colonel. M.A. Then 1905-20 University Lecturer in…
PUGLISI PICO, Mario. Aci S.Antonio near Catania 31.12.1867 — Parma 11.12.1954. Italian Philosopher, Theologian and Ecumenical Methodist. Professor (in Florence?). Publications: Translated: Consigli ai cattivi poeti, poema Indostanica. Palermo 1891 (Mīr Taqī Mīr’s Ajgarnāma). – Much on Italian (esp. Sicilian) literature, religion, philosophy, etc. Sources: S. Corso, “M.P.P. (1867–1954). Dalla letteratura alla filosofia di Brentano…
PROCHNOW, Johann Detloff. Lassan, Pomerania 24.2.1814 — Berlin 17.10.1888. Rev. German Missionary in India. Son of Johann Christian Prochnow and Johanna Detlof. Studies of theology in 1837-40 at Griefswald, was accused of belonging to a students’ fraternity. Dr. Arrived with his wife in India in 1840. From 1843 worked in…
PRICE, William. 17?? — 18??. British Colonial Officer and Oriental Scholar in India. Lieutenant (1807), then Captain (1823) and Major (1831) in the 5th native regiment in Bengal. From 1813 taught Bengali, Marathi and Sanskrit at Fort William College, from 1824 Professor of Hindee (i.e. Braj) and Hindoostanee there. Retired…
POPE, John Van Someren. Plymouth 3.1.1850 — London 10.11.1936. British Teacher and Oriental Scholar. Son of —> G. U. Pope 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 of…
POGSON, Wredenhall Robert. Sutton, Surrey 1.7.1787 — Sikraud, Benares 6.8.1843. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Bedingfield Pogson (1756–1799) and Elizabeth Philadelphia Pearce. Cadet 1803, served in Bengal Army from 1805, Lieutenant-Colonel 1824. Married 1815 Anna Cordelia Queiros, 12 children. Publications: History of the Boondelas. 7+174 p. Calcutta 1828 (translation…
PLUNKETT, George Tindall. Islington, London 8.8.1842 — Surrey 2.5.1922. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of Valentine William Plunkett 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. Married 1865 Emily Marian Richardson, two sons…