BOWDEN, Ernest Monnington. Rochford, Herefordshire bapt. 17.7.1859 — Ramsgate, Kent 3.4.1904. British Author and Inventor (Wikipedia calls him Irishman, which seems unlikely, his father was born in London). Son of Rev. Ellis Treacher Bowden and Maria Jones (d. 1875). After Malvern College studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge (B.A. 1881). In…
BOAKE, William John Slade. Colombo 1844 — London 2.6.1889. British (Irish) Civil Servant in Sri Lanka. Son of Rev. Dr. Barcroft Boake of Dublin (1814–1876), Principal of Colombo Academy in 1842-70, and Mary Katherine Slade (d. 1860). Obtained Lic. Med. of Trinity College, Dublin, and Diploma of Medicine and Surgery,…
BELL, Harry Charles Purvis. India 21.9.1851 — Kandy 6.9.1937. British Archaeologist of Sri Lanka. Son of General Harry Wainwright Bell (1821–1888) of Irish/Scottish descent, and Harriet Croker. From 1864 educated at Cheltenham College, but never went to a university. From 1873 in Ceylon Civil service, served in various positions, finally…
AYRTON, Edward Russell. Wuhu, prove. Anhui, China 17.12.1882 — Tissamaharama 18.5.1914. British Archaeologist in Sri Lanka. Son of William Scrope Ayrton (1849–1904), of China Consular Service, and Ellen Louisa McClatchie. Educated at St.Paul’s School in London. Archaeological training in Europe and Egypt (as Flinders Petrie’s Assistant 1902-04 at Abydos). In…
AA, Jean Baptiste van der. Brussels 11.6.1843 — 1900?. S.J. Flemish Jesuit Father, Missionary in Sri Lanka. Educated at Collège Saint-Michel, entered S.J. when 17. Ordained priest in 1875, taught philosophy at Louvain (Leuven). In 1895 he went to Sri Lanka and worked as teacher at the Papal Seminarium in…