Dictionary of Indian Biography/Caldwell, Right Rev. Robert

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2900387Dictionary of Indian Biography — Caldwell, Right Rev. RobertCharles Edward Buckland

CALDWELL, RIGHT REV. ROBERT (1814–1891)

Missionary and linguist : born May 7, 1814 : at first he studied art in Dublin : went to Glasgow University : B.A., 1837 : sent by the London Missionary Society to Madras, 1838 : ordained, 1841 : joined the English Church, 1841, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel : also in 1841 made his residence at Idaiyangudi, "the shepherds' abode," in Tinnevelly, and entered on his 50 years' missionary work, during which the Christians of Tinnevelly increased from 6,000 to 100,000. He was, in 1877, consecrated Bishop of Tinnevelly as coadjutor to the Bishop of Madras : resigned his Bishopric on Jan. 31, and died at Kodaikanal on the Pulny Hills on Aug. 28, 1891. He studied comparative philology, and his linguistic attainments were great : helped to revise the Tamil Prayer Book and Bible, collected Sanskrit MSS : published a Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages in 1856 : wrote on the "Tinnevelly Shanars," the general, political and mission history of Tinnevelly, besides other works on religion : LL.D. of Glasgow, 1857, and D.D. of Durham, 1874.