WILKEN, Friedrich. Ratzeburg, Holstein 23.5.1777 — Berlin 24.12.1840. German Historian and Oriental Scholar. Professor in Heidelberg and Berlin. Of modest origin, son of Christian Erich Wilken, a valet, and his wife Sophie. After Domschule of Ratzeburg from 1795 studies of theology and history at Göttingen, also Oriental languages under J.…
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?–1915), 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…
WHEELER, Mortimer (Robert Eric Mortimer; “Ric”). Glasgow 10.9.1890 — Surrey 22.7.1976. Sir. British archæologist. Son of journalist Robert Wheeler and Emily Baynes. Grew up in Edinburgh and near Bradford in Yorkshire (where school). Studies at London University College, in 1914 begun his work as archæologist and married. In 1914-18 in…
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,…
RUDENKO, S. I. 1885 — 1969. Russian Art Historian and Archaeologist. A specialist of Scythian antiquity. Publications: Kul’tura naselenija Gornogo Altaja v skifskoe vremja. M. 1953, English by M. W. Thompson, Frozen tombs of Siberia: the Pazyryk Burials of Iron-Age Horsemen. 31+340 p. 180 p. Berkeley – L.A. 1970. – Kul’tura…
RODRÍGUEZ (Y) PINILLA, Tomás. Salamanca 2.11.1814 — Madrid 23.5.1886. Spanish Historian and Politician. Son of José Rodríguez, a liberal-minded silversmith, and María Pinilla. Studied law at Salamanca, bachiller en Leyes 1834 and en Cánones 1836. Professor at Salamanca. Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs in 1873. Married, children. Publications: Carácter propio de…
ROBERTSON, William. Borthwick, Midlothian 19.9.1721 — Edinburgh 11.6.1793. British (Scottish) Historian. The eldest son of Rev. William Robertson (1686–1745) and Eleanor Pitcairn (d. 1745), educated at Borthwick Parish School and Dalkeith Grammar School. He studied theology at Edinburgh, 1733-41. In 1743-59 minister at Gladsmuir in East Lothian, then in Edinburgh.…
RIVETT-CARNAC, John Henry (Harry). Marylebone, London 16.9.1838 — Vevey, Vaud, Switzerland 11.5.1923. British Colonial Officer and Scholar of Indian Prehistory. Colonel. Born in a family with long tradition of Indian service, son of Admiral John Edward Rivett-Carnac (1796–1869) and Maria Jane Davis. In 1858-94 worked in Bengal Civil Service (i.a.…
RICHARDSON, Hugh Edward. St.Andrews 22.12.1905 — St.Andrews 3.12.2000. British (Scottish) Civil Servant, Diplomat and Tibetologist. Son of an army medical officer, Colonel Hugh Richardson, and grandson of an I.C.S. officer (Henry Cockburn R.), his mother was Elizabeth McClean. After Salvator’ School in St.Andrews and Trinity College in Glenalmond studied classics…
RHYS DAVIDS, Thomas William. Colchester, Essex 12.5.1843 — Chipstead, Surrey 27.12.1922. British Indologist, Pāli and Buddhist Scholar. Professor in Manchester, Founder and President of the Pāli Text Society. Married with —> C. A. F. Rhys Davids (1858–1942). Son of Rev. Thomas William Davids (1816–1881), a minister and ecclesiastic historian of…