SMITHER, James George. Ireland 1833 — Camberwell, London 1910. British (Irish) Architect in Sri Lanka. Worked as architect in London and in 1865-83 as the first Government Architect of Ceylon, then retired to England. In 1899 he finally retired from architectural practice. O.B.E. As architect his work included the National…
SIRR, Henry Charles. 1807 — London 23.11.1872. Sir. British (Irish) Lawyer and Diplomat. Son of Henry Charles Sirr (1764–1841), Town Major of Dublin, and Eliza D’Arcy (1767–1829). Graduated B.A. 1833 from Trinity College, Dublin. In 1836 called to bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London. British vice-consul in Hong Kong (1843), then…
PERCIVAL (Perceval), Robert. 1765 — 1826. British Colonial Officer. Joined the 18th Irish Infantry Regiment in the U.K., as Captain in 1795-97 participated in the conquest of Dutch Capeland. In 1797 to Ceylon, where he remained three years. His both books are said to be full of description of the…
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 in London, when 26. Arrived at Trankebar in 1805 and proceeded to Jaffna. Minister of the Dutch Reformed…
OERTEL, Friedrich Oscar Emanuel (from 1921 Frederick 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 and building construction in North-Western Provinces and Oudh, 1887-88…
NICHOLSON, James. 18?? — 1???. Rev. British Wesleyan Missionary in Sri Lanka. Worked in Galle at least from 1867 (1867-75 as school principal), 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…
NELL, Louis. Colombo 26.11.1830 — Chiswick, Middlesex 17.5.1922. British (of Burgher background) Lawyer in Sri Lanka. Son of George Nell (1797–1874) and Maria Elizabeth Conderlag (1805–1844). Worked as lawyer and journalist. Crown counsel of Ceylon. Retired in 1893, travelled in Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Four times (?) married, 14 children.…
MAHONY, Daniel. Dunloe Castle, Kerry, Ireland 1758 — Ibid. 29.10.1832. British (Irish) Colonial Officer in India. Son of John Mahony (1715–1780) and Honora Haly. Joined army in 1782, Captain 1793. In 1796 visited Kandy as Lieutenant, then served in India. Captain (1801), later Brigade Major (1810) and 1812 Lieutenant-Colonel. Retired…
LOWSLEY, Barzillai (until 1863 Lousley). Berkshire 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…