author

John Watson McCrindle

1825–1913

Best known for opening a window between the classical world and South Asian history, this Scottish scholar turned Greek and Roman references to India into books that readers and researchers still return to. His work helped make ancient travel accounts, geographies, and royal histories far more accessible in English.

1 Audiobook

The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch and Justin: Being Translations of such portions of the Works of these and other Classical Authors as describe Alexander's Campaigns in Afghanistan, the Panjâb, Sindh, Gedrosia and Karmania

The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch and Justin: Being Translations of such portions of the Works of these and other Classical Authors as describe Alexander's Campaigns in Afghanistan, the Panjâb, Sindh, Gedrosia and Karmania

by John Watson McCrindle

About the author

Born in 1825 near Maybole in Ayrshire, John Watson McCrindle was a Scottish classical philologist and educator. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with distinction in classics, before going on to teach.

A major part of his career unfolded in British India. He taught in Calcutta and served as principal of Patna College and later Krishnagar College. Alongside his educational work, he developed a lasting scholarly interest in how Greek and Roman writers described India.

McCrindle is remembered above all for his translations and studies of classical texts relating to South Asia, including works connected with Megasthenes, Arrian, Ptolemy, and the account of the "Periplus of the Erythraean Sea." These books helped English-language readers explore ancient descriptions of India and its wider connections with the classical world. I could confirm his career and reputation from reference sources, but I could not confirm a suitable portrait image from the pages I checked, so no profile image is included.