SOOTHILL, William Edward. Halifax, Yorkshire 23.1.1861 — Oxford 13.5.1935. Rev. British Missionary in China, then Sinologist and Buddhist Scholar. Son of William Soothill (1836–1893), a textile worker. As youngster worked in a solicitor’s office in Halifax. Interrupted his studies at London University deciding to become a missionary. Ordained priest 1882.…
SMITH, Vincent Arthur. Dublin 3.6.1848 — Oxford 6.2.1920. British (Irish) Indologist, Historian and Art Historian of India, in India (1871–1900) and the U.K. Son of Aquilla Smith (1806–1890), a physician and noted numismatist and archaeologist, and Esther Faucett (d. 1850). Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (B.A. 1868) and Cambridge (M.A.).…
SEDDON, Charles Norman. Rock Ferry, Cheshire 18.12.1870 — Oxford 27.3.1950. British Civil Servant and Oriental (Marathi and Persian) Scholar. Son of Charles John Seddon and Emily Washburn. Educated in Liverpool, in 1889-91 studies at Oxford (Balliol College). In 1891 to India, served in I.C.S., mainly in Gujarat. In retirement University…
WOODROFFE, John George (pen-name Arthur Avalon). Calcutta 13.2./15.12. 1865 — Beausoleil (Alpes-Maritimes), France 16/18.1.1936. Sir. British Lawyer and Indologist in India. Son of of James Tisdall Woodroffe (1838–1908), later Advocate-General of Bengal (1899-1904), and Florence Hume. Educated in England, at Woburn Park Catholic public school, studies at University College, Oxford (B.C.L. 1888, M.A.). In…
WILSON, Horace Hayman. London 26.9.1786 (date uncertain) — London 8.5.1860. British Indologist. In India 1808-32, then Professor in Oxford. Born in a modest family. Educated at Soho Academy in London and from 1804 studied medicine at St.Thomas’ Hospital, but also learned the elements of minting. In 1808 left forBengal as…
ROBERTS, Sydney Gordon. 18?? — 19??. British Civil Servant in South India. In 1899 already there, 1915-18 District and Sessions Judge in Cuddalore, then retired. Back in the U.K. he was Lecturer in Tamil and Telugu at Oxford (1924). He collected Tamil proverbs, assisted the preparation of Tamil Lexicon, and…
RAWLINSON, George. Chadlington, Oxfordshire 23.11.1812 — Canterbury 6.10.1902. Rev. Canon. British Classical Scholar and Historian. Son of Abraham Tyson Rawlinson (1777–1845), a breeder of racehorses, and Eliza Creswicke, younger brother of —> H. C. Rawlinson (1810–1895). Educated at Swansea grammar school and Ealing school, from 1834 studied at Trinity College,…
THOMPSON, Reginald Campbell. Kensington (London) 21.5.1876 — London 23.5.1941. British Archaeologist and Assyriologist. Son of physician Reginald Edward Thompson (1834–1912) and Anne Isabella De Morgan, educated in London. Studies of Semitic languages at Cambridge (Caius College). From 1899-1905 in British Museum as Assistant to —> L. W. King, accompanied him…
THOMPSON, Edward John. Hazel Grove, Stockport near Manchester 9.4.1886 — Bledlow, Buckinghamshire 28.4.1946. British Wesleyan Missionary and Author in India. Son of John Moses Thompson (1854–1894), a missionary in South India, and his wife Elizabeth, born during the family’s furlough in England. Lost early his father and was educated in…
THOMAS, Frederick William. Wilnecote, Tamworth, Staffordshire 21.3.1867 — Branburg, Oxfordshire 6.5.1956. British Indologist. Professor in Oxford. Son of coal mine clerk Frederick Thomas (1834–1890) and Frances Blayney, educated at King Edward’s School in Birmigham (began Sanskrit already there). Studied at Cambridge from 1885 classics and Indology (under Cowell), graduated B.A.…