Jonathan Scott

Jonathan Scott (1754–1829) was an English orientalist, best known for his translation of the Arabian Nights. Life Born at Shrewsbury, he was the third son of Jonathan Scott of Shrewsbury by Mary, daughter of Humphrey Sandford of the Isle near the town. John Scott-Waring was his eldest brother. Scott received his first education in the Shrewsbury Royal Free Grammar School, but left in his thirteenth year to travel to India with his two elder brothers, John and Richard. Jonathan was gazetted to a cadetcy in 1770, and two years later to an ensigncy in the 29th native infantry of the Carnatic. He became a lieutenant in 1777, and captain in 1778. He gained the patronage of Warren Hastings, then governor-general of Bengal, who appointed him his Persian secretary. Scott in 1784 took part in founding the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, of which body he remained a member until 1799. Hastings left India in February 1785, and as Scott resigned his commission in January of that year, it may be presumed that he returned to England about the same time.