Winstedt

Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt, KBE, CMG, MA, D.Litt (2 August 1878 – 2 June 1966) was a British colonial administrator, scholar, and historian specializing in the Malay world. He made significant contributions to the study of Malay language, literature, culture, and history.

Winstedt served in the Malayan Civil Service from 1902, holding various positions throughout his career, including Director of Education for the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States. He was instrumental in the establishment of Raffles College (later part of the National University of Singapore) and played a key role in shaping education policy in British Malaya.

His academic work includes numerous books and articles on Malay language, grammar, folklore, customs, and history. Notable publications include "A History of Malaya," "Malay Grammar," "An Unabridged Malay-English Dictionary," and collections of Malay proverbs and folk tales. His scholarship helped to preserve and promote Malay culture and language, and he remains a highly respected figure in the field of Malay studies. Winstedt's work, while influential, has also been subject to revisionist interpretations in more recent times, particularly regarding its colonial perspectives.