JOKI, Aulis Johannes. Viipuri 2.6.1913 — Helsinki 8.2.1989. Finnish Linguist, specialist of Uralic Languages. Professor in Helsinki. Son of carpenter Johan Joki and Amanda Toivonen. After matriculation from Tampere 1933 studies at Helsinki (M.A. 1938). In 1946-47 Assistant at Östasiatiska Museet in Stockholm, where also studied Chinese. Lic.phil. 1952 and…
JACQUEMONT, Venceslas-Victor. Paris 8.8.1801 — Bombay 7.12.1832. French Botanist and Traveller in India. Born in a wealthy family, father Frédéric François Venceslas J. (1757–1836) being author of psychological speculations, mother was Rose Laisne. After Lycée Louis-le-Grand (then called (Lycée impérial) he studied natural sciences and medicine at Collège de France…
HALÉVY, Joseph. Adrianople (now Edirne) 15.12.1827 — Paris 21.1.1917. French (originally Turkish Jew) Epigraphist, Semitist and Traveller. Professor in Paris, naturalized Frenchman 1865. Taught Hebrew in Jewish schools in Adrianople and Bucharest, studied Oriental languages and archaeology. In 1865 came to Paris. In disguise of a Rabbi from Jerusalem he…
HAAFNER (Haffner), Jacob Godfried. Halle 13.5.1754 — Amsterdam 4.9.1809. Dutch (German-born) traveller and precursor of Indology. His father, Matthias Haffner, originally from Alsace (Colmar), was sent by his catholic parents to monastery, but ran away and studied medicine at Halle, where he also married and adopted Lutheran confession. He brought…
GROSE, John Henry. London 24.8.1732 — in or after 1774. British Civil Servant in India. Son of Francis Jacob Grose (1697–1769), a jeweller of Swiss origin, and Ann Bennett. Educated in London, learned accounting and record-keeping. He went to Bombay in 1750 and became writer in the E.I.C.’s service. Member…
GRENARD, Joseph-Fernand. Paris 4.7.1866 — Saint-Mandé (Val de Marne) 1.4.1945. French Traveller. Companion of Dutreuil de Rhins in his travels of exploration in Central Asia and Tibet. Son of telegraph official Alphonse Grenard and Jenny Panthin. Studied at École des sciences politiques and É.L.O.V. For particulars of the travel see…
GOSSELLIN, Pascal-François-Joseph. Lille 6.12.1751 — Paris 8.2.1830. French Merchant, Geographer and Historian of Geography. Born in a family of merchants, came early into family business. Member of Chambre de commerce in Lille, from 1784 of Conseil royal du commerce for Flanders, Hainaut and Cambrésis. Travelled much in Europe on business.…
GÓIS, Bento de (Benedictus Goës). Vila-Franca-do-Campo, Ilha de S. Miguel (Azores) 1562 — Suzhou, Gansu, China 11.4.1607. S.J. Portuguese Missionary and Traveller in India and China. Originally a jew, baptized in 1572 as Luís Gonçalves, took the name Bento de Góis, when joined the S.J. as lay brother. Came to…
GERARD, James Gilbert. Aberdeen 1795 — Sabathu (Himachal Pradesh) 31.3.1835. British (Scottish) Military Physician and Explorer in India. Son of Gilbert Gerard (1760–1815), D.D., and Helen Duncan (1765–1838), brother of —> Alexander Gerard (1792–1839) and —> Patrick Gerard (1794–1848). Entered Bengal Medical Service in 1814 as assistant surgeon, 1826 surgeon,…
GERARD, Alexander. Aberdeen 17.2.1792 — Aberdeen 15.12.1839. British (Scottish) Colonial Officer and Explorer in India. Son of Gilbert Gerard (1760–1815), D.D., and Helen Duncan (1765–1838), brother of —> James G. Gerard (1795–1835) and —> Patrick Gerard (1794–1848). Graduated from King’s College, Aberdeen, in 1808 and joined the Bengal Native Infantry…