Htin Aung

Htin Aung (Burmese: ထင်အောင် [tʰɪ̀ɴ àʊɴ]; also Maung Htin Aung; 18 May 1909 – 10 May 1978) was an important author and scholar of Burmese culture and history. Educated at Oxford and Cambridge, 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, previously written by British historians of the colonial era. His important works include A History of Burma, Folk Elements in Burmese Buddhism, Selections from Burmese Folk Tales, Thirty Burmese Tales 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.

Early life and education

Htin Aung was born to a Burmese aristocratic family on 18 May 1909. His parents were U Hpein and Daw Mi Mi. He was a great-great-grandson of Maha Minhla Mindin Raza, a military officer in the Konbaung court, who fought in the First Anglo-Burmese War. He had six other siblings. He was the youngest of four brothers, including Tin Tut, Myint Thein and Kyaw Myint.