FERGUSON, Donald William. Colombo 8.10.1853 — Croydon near London 29.6.1910. British (Scottish) Journalist and Scholar of Sri Lankan History (especially of Colonial Period). Son of —> Alastair M. F. (d. 1892) and Anne Mackerras. The father came to Ceylon in 1837, was a long time the chief proprietor and editor…
FERGUSON, Charles Albert (“Fergie”). Philadelphia, PA 6.7.1921 — Palo Alto, CAL 2.9.1998. U.S. Linguist (Bengali Scholar) and Linguist. Professor in Stanford. Born in a working-class family, grew up in Philadelphia From 1939 studies at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia: B.A. 1942, A.M. 1943 (thesis on Arabic), Ph.D. 1945 (Bengali). In…
FENIGER, Siegmund (Nyānaponika Mahāthera). Hanau 29.7.1901 — Forest Hermitage, Kandy 19.10.1994. German Bauddha and Buddhist scholar in Sri Lanka. Born in Hessen in a merchant family and had Jewish education. Lived then in Oberschlesien working in a bookshop. In 1922 the family moved to Berlin, where he became acquainted with…
FÉER, Henri Léon. Rouen 22.11.1830 — Paris 10.3.1902. French Indologist and Buddhist Scholar. Librarian in Paris. Probably son of Paul Féer (1792–1847) and Jeanne Marie Labauche (Wikitree on Isabelle Féer mentions him as her uncle, but the same on Paul Féer does not list him among his children). Educated in…
FAZY, Robert. Foëcy, Cher (France) 28.6.1872 — Lausanne 2.3.1956. Swiss Judge interested in Oriental Studies. Son of an engineer and economist, of ancient Genevan family. During his childhood he lived in France, Silesia, and Bern. After studies of science and law at Geneva he worked from 1897 as a lawyer…
FAUSBØLL, Michael Viggo. Hove near Lemvig 22.9.1821 — Charlottenlund near Copenhagen 3.6.1908. Danish Indologist. Professor in Copenhagen. Son of Rev. Christian Nissen F. (1779–1840) and Dorothea Appolone Haksen. Educated in Aarhus, matriculated 1838. Studied at Copenhagen philosophy, aesthetics and theology, with the only intention of securing a living, as he…
FAURIEL, Claude. Saint-Étienne (Loire) 21.10.1772 — Paris 14/15.7.1844. French Linguist interested in Sanskrit. Professor in Paris. Son of Joseph F., a carpenter, and Anne, lost early his mother. Studied at his uncle’s expense in Tournon and Lyon. With revolution became a civil servant and a soldier. In 1799 moved to…
FAUCHE, Hippolyte. 23.5.1795 (or 1797) — Juilly (Seine-et-Marne) 28.2.1869. French Author and Translator of Sanskrit Classics. Born in Juilly or Auxerre, spent most of his life in Juilly. He attended Burnouf’s classes, developed a great interest in Sanskrit literature and spent the last 20 years of his life translating its…
FARQUHAR, John Nicol. Aberdeen 6.4.1861 — Manchester 17.7.1929. British (Scottish) Missionary in India, a Scholar of Indian Religion. Son of George F., of Aberdeen. Apprenticed as draper, in 1882 entered Aberdeen grammar school, 1883 University of Aberdeen, from 1885 at Christ Church in Oxford (B.A. 1889). Student of Macdonell. M.A.…
FARIA, João de. 1539 — 1581. S.J. Father. Portuguese Missionary in India. Joined the S.J. in 1563, left for Goa in 1572, came to Madurai in 1578. In India he also worked as an architect, and created the first movable Tamil types at Punicael (Punnaikayal) in 1578 or 1580. Publications:…