The collection comprises the linguistic papers of David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer, relating to his work on Burushaski, Khowar, Shina, Bakhtiari, Karmani Persian and Gabri. Also includes photographs, glass negatives and cinefilm of a field trip to the Hunza Valley, North West Pakistan in the mid-1930s
Papers of Lieutenant-Colonel David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer
This material is held atSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Archives, University of London
- Reference
- GB 102 PP MS 66
- Former Reference
- GB 102 Previously MS 181247
- Dates of Creation
- c 1906-1948
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English Persian Burushaski Shina Khowar Bakhtiari Gabri
- Physical Description
- 62 boxes, 2 albums
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer was born on 24 December 1876. He entered the Indian Army in 1896. From 1898-1903 he served with the Q.V.O. Corps of Guides, and was seconded with the Khalibar Rifles from 1901-1903. He entered the Indian Political Service in 1903, serving with them until 1924. His posts included H.B.M.S. Vice-Consul for Arabistan (1903-1909); Political Agent, Bahrein (1911-1912); H.M. Consul, Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, and ex-officio Assistant to the Political Resident, Persian Gulf (1912-1914); Assistant Political Agent, Chitral (1915); on field service with the I.E.F.D., Mesopotamia, and Civil Governor Am'ra (1915-1916); H.M. Consul Kerman and Persian Baluchistan (1916-1917); Political Agent, Loralai, Baluchistan (1920), and Political Agent, Gilgit (1920-1924). Lorimer was awarded a Leverhulme Research Fellowship, 1933-1935. He also received an honorary fellowship of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, in 1953.
Lorimer's publications included Syntax of Colloquial Pashtu (1915); Persian Tales (1919); The Phonology of the Bakhtiari, Badakshani, and Madaglashti Dialects of Modern Persian (1922); The Burushaski Language , Volumes I and II (1935), and Volume III (1938); The Dum'ki Language (1939), and The Wakhi Language (1958).
Arrangement
The linguistic material has been arranged into groups according to dialect/language; photographic material and films are arranged by format.
Access Information
Open
Acquisition Information
Bequeathed to SOAS in 1962.
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished handlist. 'Catalogue of Hunza Glass Lantern Slides (3 1/4” X 3 1/4”) Made from photographs taken by Lt. Col. D. L. R. Lorimer in 1934-35 (and a few in 1923-24) in Hunza, and also in Kashmir, Gilgit, and Nagir. Annotations J. M. Flowerday' (2017) is available in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Alternative Form Available
Sections of the linguistic papers are available in SOAS Library on microfilm - M5780 and M5781.
Archivist's Note
Description of linguistic papers based on list compiled by Dr. D.N. Mackenzie in 1963.
Catalogued
Conditions Governing Use
For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance
Copyright held by SOAS University of London