PALM, John David (Johann D. P.). Colberg, Pomerania (now Kołobrzeg in Poland) 1775 — Colombo 10.9.1842 (when 66). Rev. German Missionary in Sri Lanka. Began as a weaver, educated in Berlin. Ordained 1802, when 26. Arrived at Ceylon in 1805. Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church in Colombo and Jaffna. He…
OERTEL, Friedrich Oscar Emanuel (from 1921 F. O. Lechmere-Oertel). Hannover 9.12.1862 — New York 22.12.1942. German-born Engineer, Architect and Archaeologist in India. Went to India in 1883 giving up his German citizenship, naturalized as British. In 1883-87 assistant engineer on railway & building construction in North-Western Provinces and Oudh, 1887-88…
NICHOLSON, James. 18?? — 1???. Rev. Wesleyan Missionary in Sri Lanka. Worked in Galle at least from 1867, 1887 still there. Finally retired and married Ellen Osborn. Publications: A Pocket Dictionary of the English and Sinhalese Language. 646 p. 1864, 7th ed. rev. by J. de Silva. 425 p. Colombo 1921.…
NELL, Louis. Colombo 26.11.1830 — Chiswick, Middlesex 17.5.1922. British (of Burgher background) Lawyer in Sri Lanka. Son of George N. and Maria Elizabeth Conderlag. Crown counsel of Ceylon. Retired in 1893, travelled in Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Four times (?) married, 14 children. Publications: In JRAS-CB: “An Introductory Paper on the Investigation…
MAHONY, Daniel. Dunloe Castle, Kerry 1758 — Ibid. 29.10.1832. British (Irish) Colonial Officer in India. Son of John M. and Honora Haly. In 1796 visited Kandy as Lieutenant, then Captain (1801), later Brigade Major (1810) and 1812 Lieutenant-Colonel. Retired and lived in his family estate Dunloe Castle in Kerry, Married…
LOWSLEY, Barzillai (until 1863 Lousley). 19.9.1840 — 25.7.1905. British Colonial Officer. From Hampstead Norreys, near Newbury (probably born there), son of Job and Ruth Lousley, a farmer family. After Royal Military Academy he joined Royal Engineers as Lieutenant. Served in Barbados, 1862-72, then in Ceylon. Retired 1882 as Lieutenant-Colonel, in 1895…
LEWIS, R. E. (or G. C.?). 1817? — Anerley ?.3.1899. British Businessman in Sri Lanka. Arrived in 1841, when 24, representing Parlett, O’Halloran & Co. In 1848-53 the editor of the Ceylon Examiner. In 1853 left for England, returned 1855 and worked in business. Finally returned to England in 1870. Publications: “The…
KNIGHTON, William. Dublin 1824? — Tileworth, St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex 31.3.1900. British (Irish) Journalist in Sri Lanka and Civil Servant in India. Son of Richard Kn., educated in Glasgow. Arrived at Ceylon in 1843 when 19. For a short time worked as the headmaster of Norman Seminary in Colombo,…
KNIGHT, Joseph.17.10.1787 — Cotta, Sri Lanka 11.10.1840, when 53. Rev. British Missionary in Sri Lanka. Arrived at Colombo in June 1818 with three others (S. Lambrick, R. Major and B. Ward), then worked for Church Missionary Society at Nellore (Nallur) in Jaffna. Immediately he began to learn Tamil in order…
JOINVILLE, Joseph Endelin de (rarely as de Jonville). 17?? — 18??. French Naturalist. Came to Ceylon in 1798 with Governor North, worked as surveyor, left the island in 1805 and disappears. A linguist, cartographer, botanist and artist. One Joseph de Joinville lived in 1753–1821, but no details about him are…