Htin Aung
Encyclopedia
Dr. Htin Aung was an important author
and scholar of Burmese history and Burmese culture. Oxford and Cambridge educated Htin Aung wrote several books on Burmese history and culture in both Burmese
and English
. His English language works brought a much-needed Burmese perspective to the international study of Burmese history, hitherto written by British historians of the colonial era. His important works include A History of Burma, Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism, and Burmese Drama.
Htin Aung, as the rector
of the University of Rangoon from 1946 to 1958, was the highest ranking academic in the Burmese education system, at the time.
court, who fought in the First Anglo-Burmese War. He was the youngest brother of Tin Tut
, Myint Thein and Kyaw Myint.
Htin Aung graduated from Yangon's elite St. Paul's English High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Laws
from Cambridge University, a Bachelor in Civil Law from Oxford University, and doctorates in Anthropology and Literature. Dr. Htin Aung was the Rector of Rangoon University (Yangon University) from 1946 to 1958 and Vice Chancellor in 1959. He was appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka
from 1959 to 1962. He later became a visiting professor at Columbia University
and then at Wake Forest University
.
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and scholar of Burmese history and Burmese culture. Oxford and Cambridge educated Htin Aung wrote several books on Burmese history and culture in both Burmese
Burmese language
The Burmese language is the official language of Burma. Although the constitution officially recognizes it as the Myanmar language, most English speakers continue to refer to the language as Burmese. Burmese is the native language of the Bamar and related sub-ethnic groups of the Bamar, as well as...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. His English language works brought a much-needed Burmese perspective to the international study of Burmese history, hitherto written by British historians of the colonial era. His important works include A History of Burma, Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism, and Burmese Drama.
Htin Aung, as the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the University of Rangoon from 1946 to 1958, was the highest ranking academic in the Burmese education system, at the time.
Career
Dr. Htin Aung was born to a Burmese aristocratic family in 1909. He was a great-great-grandson of Maha Minhla Mindin Raza, a military officer in the KonbaungKonbaung dynasty
The Konbaung Dynasty was the last dynasty that ruled Burma from 1752 to 1885. The dynasty created the second largest empire in Burmese history, and continued the administrative reforms begun by the Toungoo dynasty, laying the foundations of modern state of Burma...
court, who fought in the First Anglo-Burmese War. He was the youngest brother of Tin Tut
Tin Tut
Tin Tut was the first Foreign Minister of the Union of Burma, and the Minister of Finance in Aung San's pre-independence government. Dulwich and Cambridge educated Tin Tut was the first Burmese to become an Indian Civil Service officer. He was Prime Minister Aung San's deputy in the government...
, Myint Thein and Kyaw Myint.
Htin Aung graduated from Yangon's elite St. Paul's English High School. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
from Cambridge University, a Bachelor in Civil Law from Oxford University, and doctorates in Anthropology and Literature. Dr. Htin Aung was the Rector of Rangoon University (Yangon University) from 1946 to 1958 and Vice Chancellor in 1959. He was appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
from 1959 to 1962. He later became a visiting professor at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and then at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
.