PORTNJAGIN, Pavel Konstantinovič. Vladivostok 1903 — Samarkand 1977. Russian Traveller. Interested early in Theosophy and eastern religions. In 1925-26 travelled in China and Mongolia, in 1926 joined in Urga the Roerich Central Asian expedition, until 1928, then with I. A. D’jakov in Burma. After a while as teacher in Harbin…
PHILIPPUS A SANCTISSIMA TRINITATE (Philippe de la Très Sainte-Trinité, lay Julien Esprit). Malaucène near Avignon 1603 — Naples 28.2.1671. French Discalced Carmelite Theologian and Missionary. Joined the order in Lyon, 1621, studied in Paris and Rome for missionary career. In 1629 left for Palestine and proceeded then via Persia to…
PELSAERT, Francisco. 1595? — Batavia ?.9.1630. Dutch Factor in India and Indonesia. Born in a wealthy family of Antwerpen, Roman Catholic. In 1618 sailed to the East as Assistant, the lowest grade of the Dutch E.I.C.’s service. In 1620 promoted to junior factor (onderkoopman) and posted to India. Travelled overland…
PAPI, Carmelo Dionisio Lazzaro. Pontito near Pescia, Tuscany 23.10.1763 — Lucca 25.12.1834.Italian Traveller. Son of Alberto Papi and Fiora Pierini. For a while studied in a seminary, then served briefly in Neapolitan army, worked as tutor and studied medicine at Lucca and Pisa. In the early 1790s went to India, arriving…
PALMER, Edward Henry. Cambridge 7.8.1840 — Sinai Peninsula 11.8.1882. British Oriental Scholar and Asian traveller. Son of William Henry P., a private schoolmaster, and his wife Mary, lost early his father and soon also his mother, grew up with an aunt. After school in Cambridge he was sent to London…
PALLAS, Peter Simon. Berlin 22.9.1741 — Berlin 8.9.1811. German Botanist, Ethnologist, Naturalist and Linguist in Russian Service. Son of Simon Pallas (1694–1770), Professor of Surgery, and Susanne Lienhardi. Studies of medicine and natural sciences at Halle, Göttingen and Leiden (Dr.med. there 1760). Invited by Catherine II joined St.Petersburg Academy in…
OVINGTON, John. Melsonby, Yorkshire bapt. 5.3.1653 — ?.6.1731. Rev. English Priest and Traveller. Son of James and Mary O., a family of yeoman-farmers. Studies at Trinity College, Dublin from 1671, B.A. 1675, M.A. 1678. Then at St. John’s College, Cambridge. His ordination and life in next years remein unknown. When…
MODAVE, Louis Laurent de Féderbe, Count de (Fayd’herbe de Maudave). Château du Fayet, Barraux (Isère) 22.6.1725 — Masulipatam 22.12.1777. French Nobleman, Officer and Traveller. Son of colonel Jean Charles Nicolas F., C. de M. and Marie Thérèse Maniquet du Fayet. As young officer participated in many European wars. Came to India as…
METHWOLD (Method), William. Baptised in South Pickenham near Swaffham, Norfolk 1590 — Kensington (London) 5.3.1653. British Merchant and Traveller in India. Son of Thomas M. and Susanna Hogan. Aged 16 he was apprenticed to a merchant, served four years in London and five in Middelburg, the Netherlands. In 1615 accepted as Persian…
MANTEGAZZA, Paolo. Monza, Lombardy 31.10.1831 — San Terenzo, Lerici, Liguria 28.8.1910. Italian Physician, Author and Traveller, also a Darwinian Anthropologist. Son of Giovanni Battista M. and Laura Solar, a wealthy family. The mother was known as a social reformer and friend of Garibaldi. Studies at Pisa and Milano, M.D. 1854…