WENGER, John (Johann). Schwarzeneck near Bern 31.8.1811 — Calcutta 20.8.1880. Rev. Swiss Missionary in India. Son of Christian W. (d. 1816) and his wife, née Fischer. From 1824 gymnasium and 1827 studies of classics and theology at Bern. Adopted Baptism in 1832. In 1833-38 in Greece as tutor in an English…
WEIGLE, Gottfried Hartmann. Esslingen-Zell am Neckar 1.6.1816 — Mangalore 7.1.1855. German Missionary in India, member of Basel Mission. Characterized as a linguist. Son of a minister, Karl Christian Hartmann W. (d. 1834) and Johanna Rosina Werner (d. 182?), school in Stuttgart. Studied at Urach Seminary 1830-34, then theology (but also…
WARD, William. Derby 20.10.1769 — Serampur 7.3.1823. Rev. British Baptist Missionary in India and Precursor of Indology. Son of John W., carpenter and builder. Apprenticed to a printer, worked as printer and editor (of the Derby Mercury, Stafford Advertiser, and Hull Advertiser). Baptized in 1796, preached in villages and in…
WALTHER, Christoph Theodosius (Ñānavālutār). Schildberg in Neumark, Pomerania (now Golenice in Poland) 20.12.1699 — Dresden 29.4.1741. German Missionary and Precursor of Indology in India. Son of a minister, lost early his father and was educated by his maternal grandfather. After gymnasium in Stargard worked as teacher and studied from 1720…
ROTTLER, Johann Peter. Strassburg (Strasbourg) ?.6.1749 — Madras 24/27.1.1836. German Lutheran Missionary and Tamil Scholar in India. Educated at gymnasium and university in Strasbourg, ordained priest 1775 Copenhagen. Arrived at Tranquebar in 1776. Studied Tamil and botany, sent botanical specimens to Erlangen, Paris and especially London (Kew) and became superintendent…
ROTH, Heinrich (Henricus Rodius, Roa). Dillingen 18.12.1610 — Agra 20.6.1668. S.J. German Missionary and Precursor of Indology. Son of Johann Konrad Roth (d. 1637), a lawyer, and his wife Maria Susanna, grew up in Augsburg. Studies at Dillingen University and, after having fled the attacking Swedish, at Innsbruck Jesuit College. Joined…
RICE, Edward Peter. Bangalore 1849 — 11.12.1936. Rev. British Missionary and Scholar of Kannaḍa, in India. The youngest son of Rev. —> Benjamin H. Rice and Jane Peach Singer. B.A. Joined London Missionary Society and worked 43 years in India, first in Bangalore from 1873 (when his father was still…
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…
RHENIUS, Karl Theophilus Ewald (Charles Theophilus/Gottlieb E. Rh.). Graudenz, West Prussia (now Grudziądz in Poland) 5.11.1790 — Tirunelvēli/Palayamkottai 5.6.1838. German Missionary and Tamil Scholar in South India. Son of Otto Rhenius (1758–1796), a Prussian army officer, and Catharina Schiemann (1765–1828). Father died when he was six. Educated in Marienwerder (now…
REEVE, William. Chelmsford, Essex 7.8.1793 — Bristol 14.4.1850. Rev. British Missionary in India. Born in Northern England. Ordained 1816, married and left for India. Worked for London Missionary Society until 1824 in Bellary and, after leave in England, in Bangalore until 1834, when retired for healt reasons. Participated in translating…