Harry Leonard Shorto (19 September 1919 – 30 July 1995[1]) was a British philologist and linguist who specialized on the Mon language and Mon-Khmer studies.
[2] Born in London, Shorto was educated at the Royal Masonic School for Boys in his youth before winning a full scholarship to attend St John's College, Cambridge at the age of 17.
[1] At St. John's he excelled in studies in both modern and medieval languages and was a rower for the university in The Boat Race.
[1] The onset of World War II interrupted his education, and he served first as a non-commissioned officer in the British Armed Forces as a specialist in artillery battery on the coast of North Norfolk.
[1] After the war ended, Shorto returned to St John's College, Cambridge to complete his degree; graduating in the Spring of 1948.