Bridging empires and cultures: a reassessment of Edward Denison Ross`s life and work in oriental studies

1. Introduction

It is known that Edward Denison Ross (1871-1940) stands as a pivotal figure in the history of British Orientalism, a scholar whose life and work intersected with the expansion of the British Empire and the development of Asian Studies as an academic discipline. His career encompassed a remarkable range of activities, from linguistic fieldwork in Central Asia to the directorship of the School of Oriental Studies (later SOAS) in London, from scholarly publications on Persian literature and history to diplomatic missions on behalf of the British government. This article offers a comprehensive study of Ross's multifaceted career, examining his contributions to various fields of Oriental Studies, his role in shaping institutional structures for the study of Asia, and his engagement with the intellectual and political context of his time.

2. Early Life, Education, and Linguistic Prowess

Edward Denison Ross was born in London in 1871 into a family with a strong tradition of scholarship and public service. He received his early education at Marlborough College and subsequently studied Oriental languages at University College London and the University of Strasbourg, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1894 with a dissertation on the Arab conquest of Persia, later published as The Early Years of Shah Ismail [3]. His education provided him with a strong foundation in classical Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit, and he rapidly developed a remarkable aptitude for languages, eventually becoming proficient in over 30 languages, including Turkish, Tibetan, and various Central Asian dialects [9].

Ross's linguistic abilities proved crucial to his subsequent career. In 1896, he was appointed Professor of Persian at University College London, a position he held until 1901. During this period, he embarked on extensive travels through Central Asia, conducting linguistic fieldwork and collecting manuscripts. These experiences informed his seminal work, The Heart of Asia: A History of Russian Turkestan and the Central Asian Khanates from the Earliest Times (1899), co-authored with Francis Henry Skrine, which remains a valuable resource for the history of the region [2]. Also, in 1896, he was appointed professor of Persian at University College, London, where he started to get involved with the academic environment.

3. The School of Oriental Studies and Institutional Leadership

In 1916, Ross was appointed the first Director of the newly established School of Oriental Studies (SOS) in London, a position he held until his retirement in 1937. The creation of the school was a landmark event in the history of Asian Studies in Britain, reflecting the growing recognition of the need for specialized training in Oriental languages and cultures, both for academic purposes and for the administration of the British Empire [1]. He oversaw the curriculum development, recruited faculty, and established the school’s library, transforming it into a leading center for the study of Asia. Ross played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s mission and curriculum. He oversaw the recruitment of a distinguished faculty, including scholars such as T. W. Arnold, R. A. Nicholson, and Vladimir Minorsky, and established the school’s library, which quickly became one of the most important collections of Oriental books and manuscripts in the world [10]. Under Ross's leadership, the School of Oriental Studies flourished, attracting students and scholars from around the globe and establishing itself as a leading center for the study of Asia. The Bulletin of the School of Oriental Studies was started in 1917.

4. Scholarly Contributions: Persian Studies and Beyond

Ross's scholarly contributions extended beyond his administrative and institutional roles. He was a prolific writer and editor, producing numerous books, articles, and translations on a wide range of topics related to Persian and Central Asian history, literature, and linguistics. His work on Persian literature included editions and translations of important texts, such as the Ta'rikh-i-Rashidi of Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat [4] and the poems of Sa'di [5]. He also wrote extensively on the history of Persia, particularly the Safavid and Qajar periods. Beyond Persian studies, Ross made significant contributions to the study of Central Asian languages and cultures. He published grammars and dictionaries of several Central Asian languages and contributed articles on the history and ethnography of the region to scholarly journals.

5. Ross and the Politics of Empire

As a prominent Orientalist working during the height of the British Empire, Ross's career was inevitably intertwined with the politics of colonialism. He served as a linguistic advisor to the British government during World War I and undertook diplomatic missions to the Middle East and Central Asia. While Ross undoubtedly benefited from the resources and opportunities provided by the imperial system, his relationship with colonialism was complex. He was critical of certain aspects of British policy in Asia and expressed sympathy for the aspirations of nationalist movements in some regions [6]. However, he remained a product of his time and his work was ultimately situated within the broader framework of British imperial interests.

6. Interactions with Asian Scholars and Intellectuals

Ross maintained extensive contacts with scholars and intellectuals from across Asia. He collaborated with Indian, Iranian, and Central Asian scholars on various projects, providing them with access to resources and opportunities in Britain. These interactions were not always without tension or hierarchy, reflecting the power imbalances inherent in the colonial context. However, Ross's genuine interest in Asian cultures and his commitment to fostering scholarly exchange helped to build bridges between British Orientalism and intellectual communities in Asia [8]. Ross's genuine respect for Asian cultures and his commitment to scholarly collaboration fostered meaningful relationships with many Asian scholars.

7. Conclusion: A Complex Legacy

Edward Denison Ross's life and work represent a significant chapter in the history of Oriental Studies. He was a brilliant linguist, a dedicated scholar, and an influential administrator who played a crucial role in shaping the field of Asian Studies in Britain. His contributions to the study of Persian and Central Asian languages, history, and literature remain valuable today.

However, Ross's legacy is not without its complexities. As a product of his time and a beneficiary of the British Empire, his work was inevitably shaped by the colonial context. While he challenged some aspects of imperial policy and fostered relationships with Asian scholars, his scholarship was ultimately situated within a framework that was often used to justify and support colonial rule.

A comprehensive reassessment of Ross's legacy requires acknowledging both his significant achievements and the inherent limitations of his position as a British Orientalist. By critically examining his life and work, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between scholarship, empire, and the development of Asian Studies as a field. Future research should focus on further exploring Ross's interactions with Asian scholars, analyzing his unpublished writings and correspondence, and situating his work within the broader intellectual and political currents of his time.