CORBIN, Henry. Paris 14.4.1903 — Paris 7.10.1978. French Philosopher, Theologian and Scholar of Iranian Religion and Islam. Son of Henri Arthur C. and Eugénie Fournier. Born in a Protestant family, but had catholic education. Studied philosophy in Paris (degree 1925), in 1928 led by Massignon to Suhrawardi. Now also studied…
CONTI, Niccolò (De’ C., Niccolò di Giovanni Conti di Chioggia). Chioggia near Venice c. 1395 — Chioggia (?) Summer 1469. Italian (Venetian) Traveller in India. He spent twentyfive years travelling and trading in the East, accepted Islam and was thus capable of visiting many countries. In 1414 (or 1419) he…
BURTON, Richard Francis. Barnham House, Hertfordshire 19.3.1821 — Trieste 20.10.1890 (Dingle & Garrett: born in Torquay, Devon, Penzer explains: born in Toquay, baptised in Elstree, Herts). Sir. British (partly of Irish origin) Oriental Scholar, Pioneer of Anthropology, Traveller and Diplomat. Son of colonel Joseph Netterville B. (1782–1857) and Martha Beckwith…
BROWN, Percy. Birmingham 1872 (or Calcutta 22.11.1871) — Srinagar 22.3.1955. British Art Historian in India. Son of Joseph Henry Samsum Brown and Annie Elizabeth Morgan. Educated at King Edward VI Grammar School in Birmingham, then at Royal College of Art in London. Excavated for the Egypt Exploration Fund in Upper…
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…
BAUSANI, Alessandro. Rome 29.5.1921 — Rome 11.3.1988. Italian Orientalist (Persian Scholar). Grew up in a stricly religious Catholic family, educated in Rome. Studies in Rome, graduated 1943. Ph.D. From 1944 incaricato di lingua e letteratura persiana, Università di Roma, 1951-56 lettore ordinario; 1956-71 prof. di lingua e letteratura persiana, I.U.O.N.…
BANNERTH, Ernst. Eilenburg, Sachsen 13.10.1895 — Cairo 29.4.1976. German Urdu and Islamic Scholar and Catholic priest. Educated in Leipzig, 1913 became professional officer and 1916 sent to Near East. British war prisoner 1917-20 in India, then joined Benedictines and studied theology at Vienna. Ordained 1930. Dr.theol. 1941 Vienna. Worked as…
ARCHER, John Clark. Wilma, Maryland 23.12.1881 — Hamden, Conn. 7.7.1957. U.S. Missionary and Scholar of Comparative Religion. Son of John A. and Virginia Augusta Clark. Father died early and in 1891 his mother married —> G. W. Brown (he is thus half-brother of W. N. Brown). Educated at Hiram College,…