SPENCER, Harold. 18?? — 19??. Rev. Wesleyan Missionary in India. B.A. In 1909 and still in the 1930s in Mysore. Publications: A Kanarese Grammar with Graduated Exercises. Mysore 8+330 p. Mysore 1914, 2nd ed. rev. by W. Perston. Mysore 1950. Sources: Often mentioned in connection of his book, but nothing…
SOOTHILL, William Edward. Halifax, Yorkshire 23.1.1861 — Oxford 13.5.1935. Rev. British Missionary in China, then Sinologist and Buddhist Scholar. Son of William Soothill, a textile worker. Studies at London University. Ordained priest 1882. In 1882–1911 Wesleyan Missionary in China, first in Wenzhou and in the end (1907-11) as Director of…
SÖDERBLOM, Lars Olof Jonathan (Nathan). Trönö, Hälsingland 15.1.1866 — Uppsala 12.7.1931. Swedish Theologian and Scholar of Comparative Religion. Professor in Berlin, then Archbishop of Sweden (Uppsala). Son of vicar Jonas S. and Nikolina Sophie Blume (of Denmark), matriculated from Hudiksvall. From 1883 studies at Uppsala (fil.kand. 1886, teol.kand. 1892). Ordained…
SMET, Richard V. de. Montignies-sur-Sambre near Charleroi 16.4.1916 — Brussels 2.3.1997. Father. S.J. Belgian Missionary and Indologist. Came to India in 1946 as a Jesuit student, studied Theology and then also Sanskrit in Calcutta (i.al. under R. Antoine). Ph.D. 1954 Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome, in Philosophy. Back in India, from…
SKREFSRUD, Lars (Laurentius Olsen). Fåberg in Oppland 4.2.1840 — Benagaria (now in Jharkand) 11.12.1910. Norwegian Missionary in India. Born in a modest family, son of Ole Nielsen Skrefsrud and Eli Døsen (1808–1856). His father had alcoholic problem and the boy got almost no education. In his troubled youth he was imprisoned for…
SHERRING, Matthew Atmore. Halstead, Essex 26.9.1826 — Benares 10.8.1880. Rev. British Missionary and Ethnologist in India. Son of John Sherring and Maryann Mather. Educated at Coward College and University College, London (LL.B.). He joined the London Missionary Society and after ordination in 1852 went immediately to Benares. He was in…
SCERBO, Francesco. Marcellinara (Catanzaro, Calabria) 7.10.1849 — 13.10.Rome 1927. Italian Linguist and Oriental (Hebrew & Sanskrit) Scholar. Professor in Florence. Of modest origin, son of Giacinto Pietro Scerbo and Maria Riglione. From 1863 studies at seminary of Nicastro. Ordained priest 1873. Continued his studies at Florence concentrating on Semitics, but…
WYATT, Joseph Light. Bishopsworth near Bristol 31.3.1841 — Brandon, Suffolk 22.2.1936. Rev. British Missionary and Tamil Scholar in India. Son-in-law of —> R. Caldwell. Born into a large farming family, son of Joseph Wyatt and Martha Light. M.A. Trained as missionary in Canterbury. Worked in South India in 1867-98, first…
WUTTKE, Karl Friedrich Adolf. Breslau 10.11.1819 — Halle 12.4.1879. German Lutheran Theologian. Son of Heinrich Wuttke, a tailor master, and Anna Hoffmann. After local gymnasium studies of theology and philosophy at Breslau. Ordained priest. Ph.D. 1848 Breslau. PD of theology 1849 Breslau, also worked as teacher and priest. From 1854…
WÜRTH, Johann Gottlob. Pleidelsheim bei Ludwigsburg, Württemberg 18.9.1820 — Mangalore2?.12.1869 (soon after Christmas). Rev. German Missionary in South India. Of a modest family, apprenticed to local village surgeon when 14. He turned to religion and from 1840 was trained as missionary in Basel. Joined the Basel Mission and arrived in…