JOHNSON, Francis. 1795/96 — Hertford 29.1.1876. British Oriental Scholar and Indologist. In his youth spent several years in Italy, where he learnt Arabic from an Arab. Also said to have studied Sanskrit there (from whom?). In 1818 visited Athens from Rome. In 1824-55 Professor of Sanskrit, Bengali and Telugu at…
HAUGHTON, Graves Champney. Dublin 1788 — St.Cloud near Paris 28.8. 1849. Sir. British Colonial Officer and Indologist. Son of the physician John H. (originating from a Lancashire family), educated in England. Obtained a cadetship in Bengal army and left for India in 1808. Soon learned Hindi. In 1812 he got…
HAMILTON, Alexander. 3.10.1762 — Liverpool 30.12.1824. British (Scottish) Pioneer of Indology. Born in Scotland (if not in India), son of William H., a merchant in Greenock (Inverclyde), and Jean Donald, and grandson of Alexander H., Laird of Grange in Ayrshire, brother of Major Walter Hamilton (1779–1818), who also wrote on…
GRANT, Charles (Gaelic Teàrlach Grannd). Aldourie, Inverness-shire 16.4.1746 — London 31.10.1823. British (Scottish) Politician interested in Indian Affairs. Son of Alexander Grant, who on his birthday was fighting for the Jacobites against British Crown (Rapson claims he was killed then, but see Wikipedia), and Margaret Macbean. In 1767 went to…
EASTWICK, Edward Backhouse. Warfield, Berkshire 13.3.1814 — Ventnor, Isle of Wight 16.7.1883. British Colonial Officer, Diplomat, Indologist and Oriental Scholar (Urdu and Persian). Son of sea-captain Robert William E. (1772–1865) of Bombay Marine, brother of William Joseph E. (1808–1889) of I.C.S. and Council of India. Educated at Charterhouse and from…
DOWSON, John. Uxbridge near London 1820 — Sandhurst, Buckinghamshire 23.8.1881. British Indologist. Professor in Sandhurst. In the age of 16 came to London to assist his uncle —> Edwin Norris, the secretary of R.A.S. He became soon interested in Oriental languages. He was a self-made scholar, but very able. Tutor…
ANDERSON, Robert. 1792 — March 1843. Rev. British Civil Servant and Tamil Scholar in India, Madras Presidency. Born of a wealthy family, educated at Harrow and Haileybury. Learned Sanskrit, Persian and Bengali at East India College, went to India, but after nine years was forced to return in 1819 because…