Dictionary of Indian Biography/Thomas, John
THOMAS, JOHN (1757–1801)
Was the first Baptist Missionary in Bengal : born May 16, 1757, at Fairford, Gloucestershire : son of the deacon of the Baptist Chapel there : educated for the medical profession, and obtained an appointment in the Navy as Assistant Surgeon : poverty and debt caused him gladly to accept the post of Surgeon on the Earl of Oxford, a ship belonging to the E.I. Co. : sailed for Madras and Calcutta, 1783 : made a second voyage in the same ship, 1786, when he decided to remain in India and become a Missionary to the Bengalis. His friend and patron was Charles Grant (q.v.) : he first studied Bengali at Malda, residing there with Mr. Udny, commercial resident at the E. I.Co.'s factory there. After a visit to England, 1792–3, he returned to Bengal with Mr. Carey (q.v.) to work under the newly formed Baptist Missionary Society. His career was a sad one : though earnest in his Mission work, he wanted balance, and brought discredit on himself and his work by frequent misunderstandings with his friends and constant money difficulties. He and Carey were employed for a time as indigo factors by Udny : later Thomas was engaged in the sugar trade : but none of his undertakings prospered. Under the strain his mind gave way : though he recovered and resumed indigo cultivation, he was again unfortunate : died of fever at Dinajpur, 1801.