BLOCHET, Gabriel Joseph Edgar. Bourges 12.12.1870 — Paris 5.9.1937. French Oriental (Arabic and Iranian) Scholar and Historian of Religions. After studies in Paris (i.al. ancient Iranian under Darmesteter at É.P.H.É. and Arabic at É.L.O.V.), from 1895 Assistant, then Librarian in Manuscript Department of Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris, retired as conservateur-adjoint…
BIRDWOOD, George Christopher Molesworth. Belgaum, India 8.12.1832 — Ealing, London 28.6.1917. Sir. British Physician and Botanist in India interested in Science and in Colonial History. Son of General Christopher B. (1807–1882) of Indian Army. The family came from Plymouth, and he was educated at Plymouth Grammar School, at Dollar Academy,…
BINYON, Laurence Robert. Lancaster 10.8.1869 — Reading, Berkshire 10.3.1943. British Art Historian, Dramatist and Poet. Son of Frederick B., a clergyman, and Mary Dockray. Educated in London and at Trinity College, Oxford (graduated 1893). From 1893 worked in Printed Books Dept. of British Museum, in 1915-33 Keeper of Oriental Prints…
BERNET KEMPERS, August Johan. ’s-Hertogenbosch 7.10.1906 — Arnhem 2.5.1992. Dutch Art Historian and South-East Asian Scholar, long time in Indonesia. Son of Karel Jan Willem B. K., a notary, and Anna den Doesschate. After school in Middelburg studies of Indo-Iranian and Indonesian from 1926 at Leiden, Ph.D. 1933 (under Krom).…
BÉNISTI (Monié-Bénisti, née Sarfati), Mireille. Algier 10.10.1909 — 11.12. 1993. French Art Historian (Buddhist and Khmer Art). Born in Algeria came early to Paris. Suffered of ill health, but in November 1943 she joined the Comité Français de la Liberation Nationale in Algier, and worked after the war in Ministère…
BAZIN-FOUCHER, Émile Eugénie Marguerite Virginie (“Éna”). Chesnay (Yvelines) 7.10.1889 — 30.1.1952. French Art Historian. Originally studied English at Sorbonne, then 1915-18 Indology at E.P.H.E. under S. Lévi. She married —> A. Foucher in 1919 in Colombo, on way to India. Some say that she had apparently met him at the…
BAKTAY, Ervin (Erwin, to 1925 Baktay-Gottesmann). Dunaharaszti 24.6.1890 — Budapest 7.5.1963 (when 73). Hungarian Art Historian. Originally intended to become a painter, he studied under Simon Hollósy, whose brother Joszef was one of the first in Hungary to be interested in Buddhism. Served in WW I 1915-18. In 1926 he…
BACHHOFER, Ludwig. Munich 30.6.1894 — Carmel, CA 1976. German Art Historian in the U.S.A. Professor in Chicago. From 1916 studies at Munich, soon interrupted by war service, Ph.D. 1921, then further studies of ethnography under Scherman. In 1927-35 PD at Munich. The nomination as ao. Professor was cancelled and in…
AUBOYER, Jeannine. Paris 6.9.1912 — Sèvres near Paris 6.2.1990. French Indologist (Art Historian). Conservator and Professor in Paris. Daughter of an auctioneer, studies in Paris mainly at É.P.H.É. (under Pelliot, Przyluski and Mus) and École du Louvre 1929-34 (Hackin, Grousset and Stern), also at Inst. de l’Art et d’Archéologie (Foucher,…
ARCHER, William George (“Bill”). 11.2.1907 — Islington, London 6.3.1979. British Ethnologist and Art Historian of India. In India 1931-48, then in Victoria and Albert Museum. Son of William Archer, educated at Strand School. Studied history at Cambridge (Emmanuel College) and aspired for a good position in Whitehall, but poor success…