Arthur Berriedale Keith British Sanskritist and Indologist Date of Birth: 05.04.1879 Country: Great Britain

1. Arthur Berriedale Keith: A Pioneer in Sanskrit and Indology
2. Education and Early Career
3. Academic Career
4. Sanskrit Scholarship
5. Collections and Legacy

Arthur Berriedale Keith: A Pioneer in Sanskrit and Indology

Arthur Berriedale Keith, a renowned British Sanskrit scholar and Indologist, was born in Edinburgh on April 5, 1879.

Education and Early Career

Keith received his education at the Royal High School and the University of Edinburgh in his hometown. He then matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford, where he pursued Classical Philology, Sanskrit, and Pali under the guidance of eminent Sanskrit scholar A. A. Macdonell. After excelling in the Civil Service exam, Keith served in the Colonial Office from 1901 to 1914, briefly interrupting his tenure in 1903-1904 for an investment agency. He contributed significantly to establishing the Dominions Office in 1907 and organizing the Imperial Conference in 1911.

Academic Career

In 1914, Keith was appointed Regius Professor of Sanskrit and Comparative Philology at Edinburgh University. From 1922, he also held the position of Lecturer in Constitutional History. He published a prolific body of work, authoring over 21 books on political history, surpassing his contributions on religion and law.

Sanskrit Scholarship

Keith made substantial contributions to the study of Sanskrit and Sanskrit literature. He authored numerous books and articles on the subject and produced key translations, including the Aitareya-aranyaka, Shankhayana-aranyaka, Taittiriya-samhita, and several Brahmanas.

Collections and Legacy

Upon Keith's death in Edinburgh on October 6, 1944, his sister donated his extensive collection of books and papers on Sanskrit, Indian history, and British Imperial law to the University of Edinburgh Library. This collection is now known as the Arthur Berriedale Keith Collection.