WINDISCHMANN, Friedrich Heinrich Hugo. Aschaffenburg 13.12.1811 — Munich 23.8.1861. German Indo-Iranian Scholar and Theologian, Catholic Priest. Son of Professor —> K. J. H. Windischmann (1775–1839) and Anna Maria Pizzala, educated in Bonn. In 1827-32 studied at Bonn philosophy (under his father), classics and Sanskrit (von Schlegel & Lassen). Ph.D. 1832…
WINDISCH, Ernst Wilhelm Oskar. Dresden 4.9.1844 (or 14.9.?) — Leipzig (or Dresden?) 30.10.1918. German Indologist and Celtic Scholar. Professor in Leipzig. Son of a schoolteacher, Louis W. Windisch and Caroline Lamm.After Kreuzschule in Leipzig studiedfrom 1863 at Leipzig classics (under Ritschl), Germanic (Zarncke), Sanskrit (Brockhaus) and Comparative Linguistics (Curtius). As…
WILSON, John. Lauder, Berwickshire 11.12.1804 — near Bombay 1.12.1875. Rev. British (Scottish) Missionary in India, Indologist and Iranian Scholar. Son of Andrew Wilson, a farmer and township councillor of Lauder, and Janet Hunter, grew up in Lauder. From the age of 14 studied arts, then theology at Edinburgh, during holidays…
WILSON, Horace Hayman. London 26.9.1786 (date uncertain) — London 8.5.1860. British Indologist. In India 1808-32, then Professor in Oxford. Born in a modest family. Educated at Soho Academy in London and from 1804 studied medicine at St.Thomas’ Hospital, but also learned the elements of minting. In 1808 left forBengal as…
WILLIAM OF RUBRUCK (Guglielmus de Rubruquis, Guillaume de Rubrouck, Willem van Ruysbroeck, Risbroucke). 1215/20 — after 1255. Flemish Traveller, a Franciscan Monk. Probably born in Rubrouck in French Flanders. In 1248 participated in the 7th Crusade. Head of the embassy sent by Louis IX of France to the Mongol Khan…
WILKINS, William Joseph. Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham bait. 29.1.1843 — Weaste, Salford 29.5.1902. Rev. British Missionary in India. Son of William Wilkins, a cordwainer, and Ann Smith. Educated at Hackney College and Highgate. Ordained, went to India in 1867 and remained four years as pastor in Calcutta. In service of…
WILHELM, Erdmann Eugen. Neustadt an der Orla, Thüringen 5.6.1842 — 1923. German Iranian Scholar. Professor in Jena. Son of a Superintendent, educated in Weimar. Studies at Jena and Halle. Ph.D. 1864. In 1864 tutor in Holstein, from 1865 Oberlehrer at Eisenach Gymnasium. From 1876 Professor and acting Director at Jena Gymnasium. From…
WIKANDER, Oscar Stig. Norrtälje 27.8.1908 — Uppsala 20.12.1983. Swedish Indo-Iranian Scholar. Professor in Uppsala. Son of Åke Magnus Wikander (1875–1949), a pharmacist with classical education and literary activity, and Gerda Eugenia Teresia Holmberg, educated in Uppsala. Studies in 1925-38 at Uppsala, of classics, Semitic (Zetterstéen), Iranian (Nyberg) and Indology (Charpentier),…
WIDENGREN, Geo. Stockholm 24.4.1907 — Stockholm 28.1.1996. Swedish Scholar of Comparative Religion and of Iranian and Semitic Philology. Professor in Uppsala. Son of Georg Hugo Wilhelm Jakobsson (1875–1927), a soldier, and Anna Matilda Leontina née Widengren (1883–1969), grew up in Stockholm. After parents’ divorce in 1917 took his mother’s surname.…
WESTMACOTT, George Edward. London 23.2.1807 — near Kabul 23.11.1841, when 35. British Colonial Officer in India. Son of George Westmacott (1783–1868) and Ann Knightley Seller (1781–1855), cousin of —> E. V. Westmacott’s father. Arrived in India in 1823 as Ensign. Captain 1833, then Assistant to the Government General’s Agent in…