Henry Thoby Prinsep

Henry Thoby Prinsep (15 July 1793 – 11 February 1878) was an English official of the Indian Civil Service, and historian of India. In later life he entered politics, and was a significant figure of the cultural circles of London.

Early life Prinsep was born at Thoby Priory, Essex, the fourth son of Sophia Elizabeth Auriol (1760–1850) and politician John Prinsep. Prior to his birth, his father had been active as a soldier and businessman in India returning to England in 1788 and settling at the Priory. His brothers were James Prinsep and the barrister Charles Robert Prinsep.

He was educated by a private tutor, and at the age of 13 joined Tonbridge School under Vicesimus Knox II, where he was placed in the sixth form. In 1807, having obtained a writership to Bengal, he entered the East India College, then at Hertford Castle.

In India Leaving the college in December 1808, Prinsep arrived at Calcutta on 20 July 1809, aged 16. After passing two years there, first as a student in Writers' Buildings, where he saw much of Holt Mackenzie, and then as an assistant in the office of the court of Sadr Adálat, be was sent to Murshidábad, where he was employed as assistant to the magistrate, and also as registrar, a dealing with petty suits. After serving in the Jungle Mehuls and in Bákarganj, Prinsep was appointed, in 1814, to a subordinate office in the secretariat, and a member of the suite of the governor-general, Lord Moira, whom he accompanied through Oudh and the North-Western Provinces. He was subsequently the first holder of the office of superintendent and remembrancer of legal affairs, protecting the interests of the government in the courts of the provinces; but was summoned to join the governor-general's camp during prolonged tours.

Prinsep also canvassed for a seat in the court of directors of the East India Company, to which he was elected in 1850. When the number of directors was diminished under the Government of India Act 1853 (16 & 17 Vict. c. 95), he was one of those elected by ballot to retain their seats. In 1858, when the Council of India was established, he was one of the seven EIC directors appointed to the new body.

Alice Marie Prinsep, who married Charles Gurney, Valentine Cameron Prinsep, RA Arthur Haldimand Prinsep CB, major-general of the Bengal cavalry