James Prinsep | |
|---|---|
 James Prinsep in medal cast c. 1840 from the National Portrait Gallery | |
| Born | 20 August 1799 England |
| Died | 22 April 1840 (aged 40) London, England |
| Academic work | |
| Main interests | Numismatics, Philology, Metallurgy and Meteorology |
| Notable works | Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |
| Notable ideas | Deciphering Kharosthi and Dhmmalipi scripts |
James Prinsep FRS (20 August 1799 – 22 April 1840) was an English scholar, orientalist and antiquary. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal and is best remembered for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India. He studied, documented and illustrated many aspects of numismatics, metallurgy, meteorology apart from pursuing his career in India as an assay master at the mint in Benares.[1]
- ^ Losty, JP (2004). "Prinsep, James (1799–1840)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/22812. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)