William Foster (historiographer)
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William Foster | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 November 1863 |
| Died | 11 May 1951 (aged 87) |
Sir William Foster CIE (19 November 1863 – 11 May 1951) was a British historiographer and civil servant who was Registrar and Superintendent of Records in the India Office.[1] He was a member of the Hakluyt Society and was "the foremost authority on the detailed history of early British relations with India and other countries in Asia."[2]
Foster was born on 19 November 1863, the son of a civil servant. He was educated in the Coopers' Company's (Grammar) School for Boys and London University.[3] In 1882 he entered India Office and continued working there until 1927.[3] He became Registrar and Superintendent of Records from 1907 to 1923 and Historiographer to the India Office from 1923 to 1927.[4] He served the Hakluyt Society as Secretary (1893–1902) and President (1928–1945).[3]
Foster was knighted in the 1925 New Year Honours.[5]
