HAAFNER (Haffner), Jacob Godfried. Halle 13.5.1754 — Amsterdam 4.9.1809. Dutch (German-born) traveller and precursor of Indology. His father, Matthias Haffner, originally from Alsace (Colmar), was sent by his catholic parents to monastery, but ran away and studied medicine at Halle, where he also married and adopted Lutheran confession. He brought…
GRÜBER, Johann Baptist (Bai Năixīn). Linz 28.10.1620 (or 1623) — Sárospatak 30.9.1680. Father. S.J. Austrian Missionary and Traveller. Early years poorly known. After Jesuit gymnasium in Linz joined S.J. in 1641 in Vienna. After studies of philosophy and mathematics in Vienna, Leoben and Graz he was gymnasium teacher in Leoben,…
GROSE, John Henry. London 24.8.1732 — in or after 1774. British Civil Servant in India. Son of Francis Jacob Grose (1697–1769), a jeweller of Swiss origin, and Ann Bennett. Educated in London, learned accounting and record-keeping. He went to Bombay in 1750 and became writer in the E.I.C.’s service. Member…
GRENARD, Joseph-Fernand. Paris 4.7.1866 — Saint-Mandé (Val de Marne) 1.4.1945. French Traveller. Companion of Dutreuil de Rhins in his travels of exploration in Central Asia and Tibet. Son of telegraph official Alphonse Grenard and Jenny Panthin. Studied at École des sciences politiques and É.L.O.V. For particulars of the travel see…
GORDON, Thomas Edward. Aberdeen 12.1.1832 — Kensington (London) 23.3.1914. Sir. British (Scottish) Colonial Officer in India. Son of captain William Gordon (1788–1834) and Maria Carlotta Loi Gonçalves de Mello (of Spain), educated at Edinburgh Military Academy, with his twin brother (Sir John James Hood Gordon, 1832–1904) entered the army (the…
GÓIS, Bento de (Benedictus Goës). Vila-Franca-do-Campo, Ilha de S. Miguel (Azores) 1562 — Suzhou, Gansu, China 11.4.1607. S.J. Portuguese Missionary and Traveller in India and China. Originally a jew, baptized in 1572 as Luís Gonçalves, took the name Bento de Góis, when joined the S.J. as lay brother. Came to…
GODINHO, Manuel. Montalvão 1630 (1632?) — Loures 1712. S.J. Portuguese Priest and Missionary in India. Became novice of the S.J. in Coimbra 1645, joined the Indian mission. In December 1662 left for Portugal by land, visited Persia, Mesopotamia and Syria, and arrived at Cascais in October 1663. Also carried diplomatic…
GERARD, James Gilbert. Aberdeen 1795 — Sabathu (Himachal Pradesh) 31.3.1835. British (Scottish) Military Physician and Explorer in India. Son of Gilbert Gerard (1760–1815), D.D., and Helen Duncan (1765–1838), brother of —> Alexander Gerard (1792–1839) and —> Patrick Gerard (1794–1848). Entered Bengal Medical Service in 1814 as assistant surgeon, 1826 surgeon,…
GERARD, Alexander. Aberdeen 17.2.1792 — Aberdeen 15.12.1839. British (Scottish) Colonial Officer and Explorer in India. Son of Gilbert Gerard (1760–1815), D.D., and Helen Duncan (1765–1838), brother of —> James G. Gerard (1795–1835) and —> Patrick Gerard (1794–1848). Graduated from King’s College, Aberdeen, in 1808 and joined the Bengal Native Infantry…
GEMELLI CARERI (G. CARRERI), Giovanni Francesco. Radicena, Terranova 1651 (1661?) — Naples 25.7.1725. Italian Traveller. Studies at a Jesuit college in Naples (Dr.iuris). Worked as magistrate in Naples and in 1685-87 travelled in Europe. In 1693 started a voyage round the world, during which he visited India in 1695. The…