GODWIN-AUSTEN, Henry Haversham (until 1854 H. H. Austen). Teignmouth, Devon 6.7.1834 — Godalming, Surrey 2.12.1923. British Colonial Officer and Scientist in India. Son of Robert A. C. Austen (later Godwin-Austen, 1808–1884), a geologist, and Maria Godwin. After school at Guildford he went in 1848 to Sandhurst. Entered the army in…
GLEIG, George Robert. Stirling 20.4.1796 — Stratfield Turgis near Winchfield, Hampshire 9.7.1888. Rev. British (Scottish) Priest and Historian of Colonial India. Son of George Gleig (1753–1840), Bishop of Brechin, and Janet Hamilton, educated in Glasgow. Studied theology at Balliol College, Oxford. Leaving his studies unfinished he entered the army in…
GLADWIN, Francis. 1744/45? — 1812. British Colonial Officer and Orientalist (Persian Scholar) in India. Served in the Bengal Army at least 30 years, until his death. He was encouraged by Warren Hastings in his study of Oriental languages, mainly worked on Persian literature. From 1801 he was the first Professor…
FRAZER, Robert Watson. Dublin ?.5.1854 — 30.11.1921. Irish Indologist and Dravidian Scholar in British Civil Service in India. Lecturer in London. Son of Dr. William Frazer, a physician. Educated at Rathmines School and Trinity College in Dublin (under Atkinson). LL.B. In 1877-86 served in India, Madras Civil Service. In 1886…
FOSTER, William. Southsea, Portsmouth 19.11.1863 — 11.5.1951. Sir. British Historian of Indian Colonial Period. Son of William Foster, a civil servant, educated at Cooper’s Grammar School and London University (B.A.). In 1882 joined the India Office. In 1891-95 edited India Office List. From 1901 Assistant to the Registrar and Superintendent…
FORREST, George William David Stark. Nusserabad (Nasirabad), Rajasthan 8.1.1846 — Oxford 28.1.1926. Sir. British Civil Servant in India, Historian of the Colonial Period. Son of Captain George Forrest (1800–1859) of Indian army and Ann Edwards, younger brother of —> R. E. Forrest. Educated privately and at St. John’s College, Cambridge…
FORBES, Charles James Forbes Smith- (C. J. F. Smith). 1834 — Tharrawaddy, Burma 28.11.1879. British Colonial Officer in Burma, Pāli and Burmese scholar. Came to the East in 1858 as Captain of Queen’s Army, and was sent to Burma with his regiment. He soon became so fascinated with the country…
FAWCETT, Charles Gordon Hill. Southsea, Portsmouth 28.6.1869 — Exmouth, Devon 7.3.1952. Sir. British Civil Servant and Historian of Colonial India. Son of Lieutenant-Colonel Rowland Hill Fawcett (1840–1914) and Eliza Rose Wood. Educated at Harrow, from 1888 studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge. In 1890 joined the I.C.S. in Bombay. In the…
EVEREST, George. Gwernvale near Crickhowell, Wales (or Greenwich?) 4.6.1790 — London 1.12.1866. Sir. British (Welsh) Colonial Officer (Military Engineer) and Geographer in India. Eponymous for Mount Everest. Son of William Tristram Everest (1747–1825), a solicitor and justice of peace, and Lucetta Mary Smith (1766–1809). Educated at the military schools of…
ELPHINSTONE, Mountstuart. Dumbarton, Scotland 6.10.1779 — Hookwood, Surrey 20.11.1859. British (Scottish) Civil Servant in India. The youngest son of John, the 11th Baron Elphinstone (1737–1794), and Anne Ruthven (1737–1801). Educated in Edinburgh and Kensington. From 1795 writer in E.I.C.’s service, was sent to Benares, where he soon learned Persian and…