author
Glyn Barlow
Best known for a lively 1921 history of Madras, this little-documented writer brought the city’s streets, buildings, and colonial past vividly to life. His work still appeals to readers interested in Chennai’s layered history and the storytelling side of local history.
1 Audiobook
The Story of Madras
by Glyn Barlow
About the author
Glyn Barlow is a somewhat elusive figure today, but his name remains closely tied to The Story of Madras, first published in 1921 by Oxford University Press. The book presents Madras, now Chennai, not just as a set of dates and events but as a place full of landmarks, memories, and character.
The original edition identifies him as Glyn Barlow, M.A. and notes that the volume includes maps and illustrations by the author. Modern bookseller listings also describe him as having served as editor of the Madras Times, though detailed biographical information is otherwise hard to confirm.
What stands out most is the tone of his writing: approachable, curious, and eager to make readers notice the city around them. Even with so little firmly documented about his life, Barlow’s work has lasted because it offers an engaging doorway into the history of Madras for general readers as well as history enthusiasts.