CHANDLER, John Scudder. Madurai, Tamil Nadu 12.4.1849 — Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 19.6.1934. U.S. Missionary and Tamil scholar. Son of John Eddy Chandler, a missionary, and Charlotte Maria Hopkins. After Hopkins Grammar School studies at Yale (B.A. 1870) and Yale Divinity School (B.D.). Priest ordination in 1873. He served as the Missionary of Congregational Church (American Board of Commissions for Foreign Missions) in India for 55 years. 1873-82 at Battalagundu in Madurai district, 1882-85 taught at mission’s theological seminary, 1890-92 acting principal of Pasumalai Seminary. In 1913-22 lexicographic work under Madras University (chairman of Tamil Lexicon Committee). Fellow of the University 1917. From 1924 director of the Language School at Kodaikanal. Retired in 1928, but returned in 1932 to India. D.D. 1923 Yale. Married 1873 Jane Elizabeth Miner (1849–1886), six children, then 1887 Henrietta Sheldoon Randell (1856–1932), three children.

Publications: Translated British books in Tamil and revised the Tamil Bible.

– First editor of the Tamil Lexicon (printed 1924-39).

– Brief articles on Tamil, e.g. PAOS 1887 and JAOS 1924, 1925.

– History of the Jesuit Mission in Madura, South India in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. 72 p. Madras 1909; 75 Years in the Madura Mission. 471 p. Madras 1912.

Sources: U.S.A. in Asia; brief note in JAOS 55, 1935, 347; Bulletin of Yale University: Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University. Deceased during the Year 1933-1934. New Haven 1934, 10f.