RICE, Benjamin Holt. 28.5.1814 — Bangalore ?.2.1887. Rev. British Missionary in South India, a Kannada Scholar. Son of wool merchant Simon Peter Rice. Worked in the family business, but soon became interested in religion. In 1834-36 studied at Homerton College in Hackney (London). Married and came to India with his wife, Jane Peach Singer (d. 1864), in 1836 and worked as a missionary of London Missionary Society in Bangalore until his death. Father of —> Benjamin L., —> Edward P. and —> Henry Rice. As widower married Catherine Matter (née Rhenius), the widow of a missionary and daughter of —> Karl Rhenius.
The Rice Memorial Church in Bangalore is named after him in 1917. Beside Kannaḍa he knew Tamil.
Publications: Wrote textbooks in Kannada on arithmetics, geography and history, also wrote on the Bible and translated hymns, etc.
Sources: Stray notes mostly in connexion of his son and of the memorial church, among which only www.gun.ovh/War/en/Rice_Memorial_Church%2C_Bangalore contains some details of his life (death in 1877 must be error for 1887, because he is also said to have worked full 50 years in Bangalore); *Life by his son (—> Edward Rice); long Wikipedia article on Rice Memorial Church with two photos.
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