G. E. Harvey

Godfrey Eric Harvey (1889 – 29 August 1962) was a British diplomat, historian and academic, specializing in Burmese history. He is best known for his seminal books on Burmese history, including History of Burma, which was published in 1925 and known for its Burmese chronicle perspective.

Life He was the son of Edward Godfrey Harvey, who had a career in the House of Commons Library, and his Dutch wife Martine (or Martha) Antoinette van Kuyk, who were married in December 1885; his younger brother Edward Leon Harvey was a historian at the University of New Brunswick.

Harvey was educated at Aldenham School and Exeter Grammar School, and London University. Suffering from a lung complaint, Harvey did not complete a degree at London University. Taking the Indian Civil Service examination, he gained an administrative position in Burma, and learned the language. After World War II, he retired and lived in Oxford. They had one son and one daughter.