Herbert Niel Randle C.I.E. F.B.A. (1880–1973) was the librarian of the India Office Library (1933–49; assistant librarian 1927–33), professor of philosophy at Queen's College, Benares, and a writer on Indian philosophy.
Herbert Allen Giles was born in 1845. he studied at Charterhouse before becoming a British diplomat to China, serving from 1867-1892. He modified a Mandarin Chinese romanisation system established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade–Giles Chinese romanisation system. On returning to England he was appointed the second professor of Chinese language at the University of Cambridge, succeeding Thomas Wade in 1897. He translated many Chinese works. Giles retired in 1932, and subsequently died in 1935.
Henry (Harry) Thomas Silcock was born in Bath in 1882. He was educated at Bath College, Fettes College (Edinburgh) and Oriel College (Oxford). He 1908 he travelled to China to work as a teacher with the Friends Foreign Mission Association. He married Margaret Standing in Chengtu in 1909 with whom he had five children. In 1911 he worked at the West China Union University, becoming Vice-President. He also became Secretary of the the Friends Foreign Mission Association in 1920, where he served until 1932, when he became Secretary of the Universities China Committee in London. It is during this time that he was also involved in the China Society. In 1938 he returned to China to both occupied Shanghai and "Free China", encouraging the formation of a Friends Centre in Shanghai in 1939. Through the 1940s he travelled extensively around the world for the Friends World Committee for Consultation. In 1947 he returned to Chengtu, China. Between 1950-1954 he continued to work for the Friends World Committee for Consultation. He was made an Honorary Member in 1961. Silcock died in 1969, aged 86.
Henry Thomas Colebrooke FRS FRSE (1765-1837) was a Sanskrit scholar and orientalist. He was born in London, the third son of Sir George Colebrooke, 2nd Baronet, Chairman of the East India Company, and Mary Gaynor of Antigua. He was educated at home and at fifteen was adept in classics and mathematics.
In 1782 Colebrooke was appointed to a writership in India. He held administrative, legal and academic posts whilst in India during which time he learnt Sanskrit which he used to translate "Digest of Hindu Laws", unfinished by Sir William Jones.
Colebrooke returned to England in 1814 where he played an active role in promoting knowledge. He was co-founder of the Royal Astronomical Society. He was present at the inaugural dinner and meeting on January 12, 1820. More significantly for the Royal Asiatic Society, he instigated its foundation, with the initial planning meetings taking place at his home. He presided as Director of the Society until his death in 1837.
Sir Henry Miers Elliot was a civil servant and historian who worked with the East India Company in India for 26 years. He is most well known for a compilation of his papers, 'The History of India, as Told by its own Historians', which was compiled and published posthumously in eight volumes by John Dowson, between 1867 and 1877.
After being appointed to the position of Assistant to the Magistrate and Collector of Bareilly in May 1828, Elliot advanced to a number of administrative positions within the East India Company, moving largely around Northern and Central India. His papers, which were written and collected during his time spent in India, comprise largely of research towards his various job postings.