Sir Arthur Francis Grimble [1888-1956], British Civil Servant and writer.

Born at Hong Kong on 11th June 1888. Died in London on 13th December 1956.

After joining the Colonial Office, he became a cadet administrative officer in the Gilberts (1914) and after, Resident Commissionner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1926.

Specialist of the myths and oral traditions of kiribati people, he learned the Gilbertese language.

He also wrote A Pattern of Islands (London, John Murray 1952, published in US We chose the Islands) and Return to the Islands (1957), that were best-sellers. Radio BBC.

The best book on his scientific work on the Gilbertese Culture has been published by Henry Evans Maude, Tungaru Traditions: writings on the atoll culture of the Gilbert Islands, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1989, ISBN 0_8248_1217_4