WAIT, William Henry. McConnell, Illinois 1854? — Ann Arbor 28.2.1939. U.S. Linguist and Germanist. Son of Nelson W. and Mary Catherine Root. Graduated B.A. 1879 from Northwestern University, A.M. there 1882. Ph.D. 1888 Allegheny. From 1883 taught at Illinois Wesleyan University. Further studies at Berlin and Bonn 1894-95. In 1895-1901…
THORNER, Daniel. New York 1915 — Paris 18.6.1974. U.S. Economist and Historian of South Asian Economy, in India and France. Educated New York City College. Studies of history at Columbia, during war served in the Office of Strategic Services. At the end of WW II to India to complete his…
THOMAS, Calvin E. near Lapeer, Mich. 28.10.1854 — New York City 4.11.1919. U.S. Linguist and Germanist. Son of farmer Stephen Van Rensselaer Thomas (1831–1905, later lawyer and politician) and Caroline Louisa Lord (1831–1878). Graduated A.B. 1874, A.M. 1877, LL.D. 1904 – all at University of Michigan, 1877-78 further studies at…
STRENG, Frederick John. Seguin, Texas 30.9.1933 — Dallas 21.6.1993 (when 59). U.S. Scholar of Religion. Son of a Lutheran minister, Adolph Carl Streng (1901–1973), and Elizabeth M. Hein. Studies at Texas Lutheran College (B.A. 1955), Southern Methodist University (M.A. 1956) and University of Chicago (B.Div. 1960, under Eliade et al.),…
SMITH, Ray Caldwell. 20.7.1872 — India 1922. Rev. U.S. Presbyterian Missionary in India. Son of Rev. George B. Smith (1841–1941) and Anna Elizabeth Caldwell (1842–1906). Studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Soon after marriage to India. In 1914 in Fatehpur, then at Landour Language School in Mussoorie. Married 1900 Huetta…
SINGER, Milton Borah. Warsaw, Poland 15.7.1912 — Chicago 5.12.1994, when 82. U.S. Anthropologist of India. Born in a Jewish family in Poland, son of Julius Singer and Esther Greenberg. The family emigrated to the U.S.A. in 1920, settling in Detroit, 1921 naturalized. Studies of psychology (B.A. 1934) and philosophy (M.A.…
SILVERSTONE, Marilyn (Bhikshuni Ngawang Chödrön). London 9.3.1929 — near Kathmandu 28.9.1999. U.S. Photojournalist and Buddhist Nun. Daughter of Murray Silverstone (1895–1965), a film director and the son of a Polish immigrant to the U.S.A., for a while working in London, and his wife Dorothy. Grew up in Scarsdale, NY, graduated…
NAKAMURA, Susumu Winston. California 17.3.1908 — Berkeley 15.6.1989. U.S. Buddhist Scholar. M.A. Studied Tibetan at Berkeley under Lessing (M.A.), but never completed his Ph.D. Taught Japanese as Lecturer at Universities of Colorado (in Boulder, during WW II) and Berkeley. Married Fumie Yanagisana, at least one son. Publications: “Pradakshina, a Buddhist…
PRESLER, Henry Hughes. Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota 8.11.1908 — Fargo North Dakota 7.11.1998. Rev. U.S. Missionary in India. Son of Henry A. Presler. Studies at North Dakota State University (B.S.), Boston University School of Theology (B.D.), and University of Chicago (Ph.D.). Worked in India for United Methodist Board…
PITTMAN, Richard Saunders (Dick). Streator, Ill. 19.2.1915 — Waxhaw, Union, NC 21.8.1998. U.S. Linguist. Son of glass manufacturer Edwin John Pittman and Louise Shepard. Graduated 1936 from Asbury College. In 1940-50 lived in Tetelcingo, Mexico, doing linguistic fieldwork, and continued his studies in the U.S.A., first at University of Michigan,…