Tracing footprints of a great historian
The 117th Birth Anniversary of Dr. R.L. Brohier was yesterday. His deep and abiding love for Sri Lanka is reflected in the incomparable legacy he has bequeathed to future generations. His valuable and unrivalled works on historical sites, ancient irrigation systems, Dutch influences to name a few, reveal to aspects of our country and heritage which if not for him we would never have known.
His younger daughter Deloraine inherits her father’s passion for this country and follows in her illustrious parent’s footsteps.
Today, we remember and revere Dr. R.L. Brohier as a colossus among contemporary Sri Lankan historians and antiquarians.
The Order of the Oranje Nassau is the highest award given by the Crown in The Netherlands. In a unique and rare event Dr. R.L. Brohier and daughter Deloraine were made recipients of this honour. Dr. Brohier was conferred this honour by Queen Juliana in 1978 and Deloraine was bestowed this honour by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands in 2002.
Dr. Richard Leslie Brohier was born on October 5, 1892 to Richard Annesley Brohier (Jr.) and Marion de Boer. The Brohier’s are of French (Huguenot) descent. The founder of the family, Captain Jean Brohier arrived in this country in 1777 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The literary tradition was obviously in Dr. Brohier’s genes - his great grandfather Peter Brohier was translator of Rev. Baldeus’s book “The true and exact description of the Island of Ceylon”.
Not only was Dr. Brohier a great scholarly writer he was an inspiration to many. He inspired study of ancient Lanka’s hydraulic system.
Others like his daughter Deloraine were inspired by him to seek out Lanka’s historical heritage.
In her postscript titled Following the Pathfinder to Dr. Brohier’s The Golden Plains (1923 Notes of the Topographic Survey of the ancient coastal habitations between Puttalam and Mannar and related subsequent observations) Deloraine Brohier says-: “I can still hear him say: “Take a boat from Kalpitiya coast up through Dutch Bay and the chain of islands in Portugal Bay, then beach at Kudiramalai Point; camp and trek to see the ancient habitations along the Wilpattu coast. This is a trip you must do - someday....” ...
Read entire article at Daily News (Sri Lanka)
His younger daughter Deloraine inherits her father’s passion for this country and follows in her illustrious parent’s footsteps.
Today, we remember and revere Dr. R.L. Brohier as a colossus among contemporary Sri Lankan historians and antiquarians.
The Order of the Oranje Nassau is the highest award given by the Crown in The Netherlands. In a unique and rare event Dr. R.L. Brohier and daughter Deloraine were made recipients of this honour. Dr. Brohier was conferred this honour by Queen Juliana in 1978 and Deloraine was bestowed this honour by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands in 2002.
Dr. Richard Leslie Brohier was born on October 5, 1892 to Richard Annesley Brohier (Jr.) and Marion de Boer. The Brohier’s are of French (Huguenot) descent. The founder of the family, Captain Jean Brohier arrived in this country in 1777 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The literary tradition was obviously in Dr. Brohier’s genes - his great grandfather Peter Brohier was translator of Rev. Baldeus’s book “The true and exact description of the Island of Ceylon”.
Not only was Dr. Brohier a great scholarly writer he was an inspiration to many. He inspired study of ancient Lanka’s hydraulic system.
Others like his daughter Deloraine were inspired by him to seek out Lanka’s historical heritage.
In her postscript titled Following the Pathfinder to Dr. Brohier’s The Golden Plains (1923 Notes of the Topographic Survey of the ancient coastal habitations between Puttalam and Mannar and related subsequent observations) Deloraine Brohier says-: “I can still hear him say: “Take a boat from Kalpitiya coast up through Dutch Bay and the chain of islands in Portugal Bay, then beach at Kudiramalai Point; camp and trek to see the ancient habitations along the Wilpattu coast. This is a trip you must do - someday....” ...