JOHN, Christian Samuel. 1746/47 — 1813. Rev. German Pietist Missionary in South India. Worked from 1771 in Tranquebar. He was also interested in nature, collected shells 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.