Horace Hayman Wilson
(1786-1860), OrientalistEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 4 portraits
In 1808, appointed as Assistant Surgeon to the East India Company. Whilst in Calcutta he devoted his attention to the study of Indian languages, especially Sanskrit, and in 1811 became the Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, upon the recommendation of the distinguished Sanskrit scholar Henry Colebrooke. He published a number of papers in its journal, Asiatic Researches. In 1832, Wilson left India as he was appointed the first Professorship in Sanskrit at Oxford University. Four years later he became Librarian at East India House and he fulfilled both positions for many years. Wilson wrote extensively on the subjects of Sanskrit literature, Hindu religion, and Indian history.
by James Atkinson
watercolour, 1821
NPG 826
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, circa 1837
NPG 316a(143)
by Unknown artist
oil on canvas
NPG 2748
by and published by William Walker, after Sir John Watson-Gordon
mezzotint, published 4 June 1851
NPG D37023
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