JOHN, Christian Samuel. Frobersgrun, Thuringia 11.8.1747 — 1813. Rev. German Pietist Missionary in South India. Son of Rev. Julius Gerhard John and Catharina Dorothea Pyriaus. After school in Greiz studied theology at Halle. Ordained priest in Copenhagen before sailing to India. Worked as teacher from 1771 in Tranquebar. He was also interested in nature, collected shells, medicinal plants and other naturalia and sent some specimens to Germany. For this he was given doctorate by Academia Leopoldina. He tried to develop local education system. Hon. member of A.S.B.
Publications: A paper about the orthography and pronunciation of Tamil, Neue Hallesche Berichte 1796, 725-735.
– “A Summary Account of the Life and Writings of Avyar, a Tamul Female Philosopher”, As.Res. 7, 1801, 8° ed. 1803, 343-361 (Auvaiyār with translations).
– On Indian Civilization. L. 1813.
Sources: Scanty stray notes in Internet; portrait from Neue Hallesche Berichte 4, 1790 in McGetchin et al. 2004, pl. 3; P.B. Mambaran in milestonesofkanyakumari.blogspot.com.
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