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…
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, County Chittenden, 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 (1761–1831) and Anna Kellogg (1766–1810). From the age of 14 worked as store clerk, but then turned to religion. Graduated from…
WINFIELD, Walter Warren. 8.6.1889 — 6.4.1970. Rev. British Baptist Missionary in India. Son of Harry (1854–1915) Winfield and Clara Jane East (1852–1906). B.A., B.D. In 1917-27 worked in Udayagiri (Nellore dt., Andhra Pr.), 1927-29 in Banbury, then taught from 1930 at Serampore College. Married 1919 in Madras Lottie Lydia Johnson…
WINDISCHMANN, Friedrich Heinrich Hugo. Aschaffenburg 13.12.1811 — Munich 23.8.1861. German Indo-Iranian Scholar and Theologian, Catholic Priest. Son of Professor —> K. J. H. Windischmann (1775–1839) and Anna Maria Pizzala, educated in Bonn. In 1827-32 studied at Bonn philosophy (under his father), classics and Sanskrit (von Schlegel & Lassen). Ph.D. 1832…
WILSON, John. Lauder, Berwickshire 11.12.1804 — near Bombay 1.12.1875. Rev. British (Scottish) Missionary in India, Indologist and Iranian Scholar. Son of Andrew Wilson, a farmer and township councillor of Lauder, and Janet Hunter, grew up in Lauder. From the age of 14 studied arts, then theology at Edinburgh, during holidays…