Henry Thomas Colebrooke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Thomas Colebrooke
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A bust of Henry Thomas Colebrooke currently owned by the Royal Asiatic Society
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| Born | 15 June 1765 London, England
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| Died | 10 March 1837 (aged 71) London, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Orientalist |
| Known for | Sanskrit scholar, one of the founders of the Royal Asiatic Society, one of the founders and second president of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Henry Thomas Colebrooke (born June 15, 1765 – died March 10, 1837) was an English scholar and mathematician. He studied Eastern cultures and languages. Many people call him "the first great Sanskrit scholar in Europe." Sanskrit is a very old language from India.
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Life and Times of Henry Colebrooke
Henry Thomas Colebrooke was born in London, England. His father, Sir George Colebrooke, was a Member of Parliament. He also led the East India Company, a powerful British trading company. Henry was taught at home, which was common for children from wealthy families back then.
Working in India
In 1782, when Henry was 17, he got a job with the East India Company. He worked in Calcutta, India. This job was called a "writership." It meant he helped with the company's paperwork and business.
Later, he became an assistant collector in the revenue department. This meant he helped collect taxes. He wrote a book called Remarks on the Husbandry and Commerce of Bengal in 1795. In this book, he disagreed with the East India Company. He thought trade between Britain and India should be free, not controlled by just one company. This idea made some company leaders unhappy.
In 1795, he became a judge in Mirzapur. A few years later, in 1799, he was sent to Nagpur. His job was to make a deal with a local ruler, the Raja of Berar. However, he was not successful and returned in 1801.
Becoming a Scholar
When he returned to Calcutta, Henry became a judge in a new court. He later became the head judge in 1805. In the same year, he was made a professor at the East India Company College. He taught about Hindu law and Sanskrit.
He also became a member of the council that helped govern India for the East India Company. He served for five years. In 1807, he was chosen to be the President of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta. This was a group dedicated to studying Asian culture and history.
Henry Colebrooke married Elizabeth Wilkinson in 1810. Sadly, she passed away in 1814. In 1815, he returned to England.
Joining Important Societies
Back in England, Henry continued his scholarly work. In 1816, he became a member of the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. These are very old and respected groups for scientists.
In 1820, he helped start the Royal Astronomical Society. This group was for people who studied stars and planets. He often led their meetings. When the first president, William Herschel, died, Henry was chosen as the second president. He served from 1823 to 1825.
In 1823, he also helped create the Royal Asiatic Society. This society focused on the study of Asia. He led its first meeting, but he chose not to become its president.
Henry Colebrooke's Important Works
Henry Thomas Colebrooke spent eleven years in India. During this time, he started to learn the Sanskrit language. He became very good at it.
He was asked to finish a huge project. It was a translation of the Digest of Hindu Laws. This important study of Hindu law had been started by Sir William Jones. Henry translated two key parts of Hindu law. These were called the Mitacshara and the Dayabhaga. He published them as Law of Inheritance.
While in Calcutta, he wrote a Sanskrit Grammar (1805). This book helped others learn the language. He also wrote papers about Hindu religious ceremonies. His Essay on the Vedas (1805) was a very important book about the Vedas, which are ancient Hindu scriptures.
Henry was also interested in plants. He collected many plant samples and made drawings in India. He sent these to famous botanists in England. His plant collections are now kept at Kew Gardens.
See also
In Spanish: Henry Thomas Colebrooke para niños
