A shunned Indologist

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Rosane Rocher presents the intriguing life of Ludwig Poley (1805–1885), a German Indologist whose experiences differ markedly from those of more celebrated scholars. The narrative delves into the obstacles he faced in the 19th century, his coping strategies, and the character flaws that led to both rejection by peers and acceptance in literary circles. Born an illegitimate child, Poley relied on scholarships and published a Latin translation of a Sanskrit text in Berlin, which he falsely claimed as his doctoral dissertation. As Louis Poley, he gained recognition in Paris as a key figure in the Oriental Renaissance, contributing editions and French translations of several Upanishads. His career at the Prussian Embassy in London ended abruptly due to scandal, leading to years of wandering Europe without academic roles. A transnational scholar, he played a significant role in incorporating English and German into the French secondary school curriculum. It wasn't until the last two decades of his life that he secured university teaching positions, offering lectures on Indian culture and French language at the University of Vienna and other institutions. His final work on the Vedāntasāra, published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, marked the culmination of his lifelong dedication to Vedānta studies.