Edward Hamilton Aitken

Born in Satara in 1851, he worked for the customs service in India and wrote alongside his day job. He became known under the pen name “Eha,” and his essays often drew on close observation of the natural world and the rhythms of ordinary life around him.

His best-known books include The Tribes on My Frontier, The Common Birds of Bombay, and Concerning Animals and Other Matters. Their appeal lies in the mix of humor, curiosity, and careful noticing: he could be entertaining without losing his eye for detail.

He died in 1909, but his writing still stands out for the way it makes nature writing feel companionable and alive. For listeners who enjoy classic nonfiction with personality, his work offers both charm and a vivid sense of place.