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…
WORTHAM, Biscoe Hale. Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire 1843 — Brentwood, Essex 23.9.1928. Rev. British Priest and Translator of Sanskrit Literature. Son of Biscoe Hill Wortham (1814–1895, Regius Professor of Hebrew at Cambridge) and Martha Lee. From 1863 studies at Trinity College, Oxford, B.A. 1868. Vicar of Shepreth, Hertfordshire, 1874-80, from 1880…
WOLFF, Joseph. Weilersbach near Bamberg 1795 — Isle Brewers, Somerset 2.5.1862. Rev. German Priest, Oriental Scholar and Traveller in Central Asia. Born in a Jewish family, his father David Wolff was a rabbi, his mother was Sarah. Educated in Stuttgart and Bamberg. After conversion to Catholic Christianity near Prague in…
WINSLOW, Miron. Williston, Vermont 11.12.1789 — Cape Town 22.10.1864. Rev. U.S. Missionary and Tamil Lexicographer in South Asia, where he remained in 1819-64. Son of Nathaniel Winslow and Anna Kellogg. Graduated from Middlebury College 1815 and Andover Theological Seminary 1818, ordained priest 1818. Together with his wife he arrived in…