Hugh George Rawlinson was born in Middlesborough in 1880 and went, as a scholar, to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He graduated with a First Class degree in the Classics Tripos and gained the Hare University Prize. In 1903 he joined the Education Service of the Government of Ceylon and in 1908 moved to the Indian Education Service. He became Principal of the Karnatak College in Dharwar and later, Principal of Deccan College in Poona, where he stayed until his retirement in 1933.
Rawlinson was a prolific writer about Indian history and related themes and also acted as editor for several volumes. On his return to England he lectured in Classics at Birkbeck College, London. He was a Member of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1944-1954 and wrote an article, "Indian Influences on Western Culture" (JRAS 1947, pp.142-150) for the Journal of the Society. He died, in London, on 8 June 1957.
William Edward David Allen was born in London in 1901 and educated at Eton before travelling and working in journalism. He had a lifelong passion for the history of the Caucasus region and in particular the Georgian area. He travelled much in the area and had an extensive library on Russian and Caucasian affairs. With Sir Oliver Wardrop, he founded the Georgian Society in 1930.
The material in these Papers reflects his passion for the Caucasus and is concerned with his some of his literary endeavours and publications. He was known as Bill by his close friends and W. E. D. Allen in official correspondence and publication. This is seen within these Papers. He had connections with Oswald Mosley's New Party and was a close friend of Mosley.