The life and works of Sir William Jones

Abstract

Chapter One; The Early Years. Jones's childhood, his schooling and character; to the age of twenty two. Chapter Two; Early Works. His developing interest in eastern literature; his first publications and early critical theory; taken to 1774. Chapter Three; Politics and the Law. His career as a politician and lawyer; taken to 1783. Chapter Four; Jurisprudence, translation and Poetry. His juridical writings; some aspects of his abilities as a translator and poet; from 1768 to 1785. Chapter Five: The first Years in India. His first years in India; outlook on the cultures, religions and peoples of India; attitude towards missions; discussion of his Hymns. Chapter Six; Sanskrit Studies. The beginnings of Sanskrit study; the hypothesis of a link between Indian and European languages; the translations from ancient Hindu writings; his works on anthropology and attempts to create a Hindu chronology. Chapter Seven; The Later years in India. Other important works undertaken during his stay in India; taken to 1794 and his death. Chapter Eight; His Literary Influence. Some aspects of his influence on the writers who followed, especially on Shelley, Coleridge, Southey and Tennyson.