WILHELM, Erdmann Eugen. Neustadt an der Orla, Thüringen 5.6.1842 — 1923. German Iranian Scholar. Professor in Jena. Son of a Superintendent, educated in Weimar. Studies at Jena and Halle. Ph.D. 1864. In 1864 tutor in Holstein, from 1865 Oberlehrer at Eisenach Gymnasium. From 1876 Professor and acting Director at Jena Gymnasium. From…
WILFORD, Francis. 1761 (1771 makes him too young for his early career) — Benares 1822. British (of German Origin) Colonial Officer and Indologist in India. Born in the Kingdom of Hannover, obtained classical education. In 1781 joined the E.I.C.’s military service. Served many years as Lieutenant, in the end Colonel.…
WIJK, Walter Emile van. Amsterdam 23.1.1887 — Arnhem 14.11.1961. Dutch Scholar of Chronology and History of Science. Son of Wouter van Wijk (1854?–1916), an insurer, and Emilie Hunziker (1858?–1942). Studies of science at Leiden, 1920 dr. in chemistry. Even before this worked as teacher in adult education. PD of Chronology…
WIJK, Nicolaas van. Delden, Overijssel 4.10.1880 — Leiden 25.3.1941. Dutch Slavic, German and IE Linguist. Son of Aart Willem van Wijk (1852–1918), a Reformed minister, and Bregitta Bruijn (1849–1935). The family moved to Zwolle in 1886.. Educated at Zwolle gymnasium. In 1898-1901 studied Dutch at Amsterdam, also learned Sanskrit and…
WIEDEMANN, Oskar Johann. Jurburg, govt. Kaunas (now Jurbarke, Lithuania) 3.12.1860 — Leipzig 9.12.1918. German (Baltic) Linguist. In 1879-83 studies of comparative linguistics under L. Meyer at Dorpat (Tartu), then further studies in Germany. Mag. 1886 Dorpat. Ph.D. 1889 Dorpat. PD 1887 Dorpat, quitted in 1890 because of Russification of the…
WHITLEY, Jabez Cornelius. London (or Shoreditch, Middlesex) 20.1.1837 — Darjeeling 13/18.10.1904. Right Rev. British Missionary in India. Son of Rev. Edward Whitley and Ann Hunt, educated at the Mercer’s School, Holborn, from 1855 studies at Queen’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1859), ordained deacon 1860, priest 1861. “Went to India in 1862…
WHITEHEAD, Richard Bertram. Liverpool 6.11.1879 — Cambridge 4.3. 1967. British Civil Servant and Numismatist. Son of Rev. Robert Whitehead and Isabella Grimshaw. Educated at Liverpool College, studies at Exeter College, Oxford. In 1902 he joined I.C.S. and in 1903 arrived in the Punjab. From 1904 Assistant Commissioner, first in Ambala,…
WHITEHEAD, George. 1862 — Halton West, North Yorkshire 3.4.1935. Rev. British Anglican Missionary. From Yorkshire, of an old yeoman family. B.A. 1884 University of London, then curacy at Barnsley. Ordained deacon 1886 and priest 1887 in Mandalay. From 1886 worked in various positions in Upper Burma, in 1895-97 officiating Principal…
WHEELER, Mortimer (Robert Eric Mortimer; “Ric”). Glasgow 10.9.1890 — Surrey 22.7.1976. Sir. British archæologist. Son of English journalist Robert Wheeler and Emily Baynes. Grew up in Edinburgh and near Bradford in Yorkshire (1899-1905 Bradford Grammar Shool). Studies from 1907 at London University College (graduated B.A. and 1912 M.A.), in 1914…
WHEELER, James Talboys. Oxford 22.12.1824 — Ramsgate, Kent 13.1.1897. British Civil Servant and Historian in India. Son of James Luft Wheeler, a bookseller, and Anna Ophelia Talboys, privately educated. “Began as a publisher and book-seller. [During Crimean War] War Office extra clerk. Went to Madras to edit the Madras Spectator,…