E. F. C. Ludowyk

Evelyn Frederick Charles Ludowyk (1906–1985), a Sri Lankan Burgher Shakespearean scholar, author, playwright and critic, was the first Professor of English of the University of Ceylon.

A member of a prominent Dutch Burgher family, Ludowyk studied at Wesley College, Colombo and Richmond College, Galle and went up to Cambridge.

He joined the staff of University College, Colombo in 1932, becoming professor in 1936.

In 1940 he met and married Edith Gyömröi.

When the University College was converted into the University of Ceylon, Ludowyk was appointed its first Professor of English in 1942. He was made the first Dean of Arts in the newly established University in Peradeniya in 1952.^[1]

In 1956, because the island's humid climate caused Edith problems, the couple moved to London.^[2] Later they settled in Colchester.

Ludowyk died in Colchester in 1985.

Works

Books

• The footprint of the Buddha (London, 1958)
• The story of Ceylon (London, 1962)
• Understanding Shakespeare (Cambridge, 1964)
• The modern history of Ceylon (London, 1966)
• A short history of Ceylon (London 1967)
• Those long afternoons: childhood in colonial Ceylon (Colombo, 1989)

Plays

• He comes from Jaffna (1942)

References