John Crawfurd

John Crawfurd (13 August 1783 – 11 May 1868) was a Scottish physician, colonial administrator and diplomat, and author. He is now best known for his work on Asian languages, his History of the Indian Archipelago, and his role in founding Singapore as a British colony.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Crawfurd was born in Islay, one of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, in 1783. He was the son of Samuel Crawfurd, a physician, and his wife Elizabeth. He was educated at the High School in Edinburgh and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a surgeon in 1803.

Career[edit | edit source]

In 1803, Crawfurd joined the East India Company as a surgeon and was posted to various locations in India and Southeast Asia. During his time in India, he studied the local languages and wrote a grammar of the Hindustani language.

In 1820, he was appointed Resident and Commissioner to the Eastern Isles of the Dutch East Indies, and in 1822 he was appointed to the same position in Singapore. During his time in Singapore, he negotiated treaties with local rulers and played a key role in establishing the island as a British colony.

Crawfurd returned to Britain in 1826 and spent the rest of his career writing and lecturing on Asian languages and cultures. He published a number of books, including his History of the Indian Archipelago (1820), Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China (1828), and A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands & Adjacent Countries (1856).

Death and legacy[edit | edit source]

Crawfurd died in London in 1868. His contributions to the study of Asian languages and cultures, and his role in the founding of Singapore, have ensured his place in history.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

John Crawfurd Resources
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