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 (1836–1893), a textile worker. As youngster worked in a solicitor’s office in Halifax. Interrupted his studies at London University deciding to become a missionary. Ordained priest 1882.…
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 Söderblom (1823–1901) and Nikolina Sophie Blume (of Denmark), matriculated from Hudiksvall. From 1883 studies at Uppsala (fil.kand. 1886, teol.kand. 1892).…
SMET, Richard V. de. Montignies-sur-Sambre near Charleroi 16.4.1916 — Brussels 2.3.1997. Father. S.J. Belgian Missionary and Indologist. Son of Jules de Smet and Marie Compère. Educated in Charleroi. Joined S.J. in 1934, then studied theology in Belgium. Came to India in 1946 as a Jesuit student, studied Theology and then…
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 (1805–1868), a blacksmith, carpenter and small farmer, and Eli Amundsdatter Døsen (1808–1856). His father had alcoholic problem and the boy got almost no education.…
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 (B.A. 1848, LL.B. 1849, M.A. 1850). He joined the London Missionary Society and after ordination in 1852 went immediately…
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 (1813–1867) and Martha Light. Trained as missionary at St.Augustin’s College in Canterbury. Worked in South India…
WUTTKE, Karl Friedrich Adolf. Breslau 10.11.1819 — Halle 12.4.1870. German Lutheran Theologian. Son of Heinrich Wuttke, a tailor master, and Anna Hoffmann. After local gymnasium studies of theology and philosophy at Breslau, Berlin and Halle. Ordained priest. Ph.D. 1848 Breslau. PD of theology 1849 Breslau, also worked as teacher and…
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…