Wilson, John, c 1843-1847

From a typed note pasted on the page before his photograph: "Wilson, John (1804-1875), missionary and orientalist; studied for ministry at Edinburgh University; studied medicine; joined Scottish Missionary Society; went to Bombay, 1829; founded 'Oriental Christian Spectator' periodical, 1820; established native church on presbyterian principles, and with his wife schools for native children, special attention being given to female education; transferred to church of Scotland, 1835, but quitted it at disruption, 1843; R.A.S., 1836; first partially to decipher rock inscriptions of Asoka at Girnar; published 'The Parsi Religion unfolded, 1843; F.R.S., 1845; president, 1848, of the 'Cave Temple Commission,' publishing writings relating to te commission's work; his knowledge of archaic alphabets (used for secrecy) and local dialects useful to the government in the Indian mutiny; dean of faculty of arts in the new Bombay University, 1857; wrote on Indian religion and customs [lxii.113]". From a second typed note pasted on the page before his photograph: "Wilson, John, D.D. (Edinburgh), F.R.S. Born at Lauder, 1804. Studied at the University, Edinburgh. Having been accepted as an agent of the Scottish Missionary Society, he was ordained by the Presbytery of Lauder, 1828. Married, the same year, Margaret Bayne; and, 1846, Isabella Dennistoun. In 1835, along with other two missionaries of the Society, Dr. Wilson was received as a missionary as the Church of Scotland. He signed the Act of Separation and Deed of Demission. In the advancement of education and the establishment of univerisities in India he took a deep interest and active part. At his death he was Vice-Chancellor, and also Dean and Syndic in Arts of the University of Bombay. He was President of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. In 1868 a sum of R21,000 (£2100) was contributed to form the Wilson Memorial, the capital being devoted. according to his own suggestion, to the endowment of a Chair of Comparative Philology in the Bombay University. 'His knowledge of Western India, in paticular, with its endless complexity of tribes and dialects and customs, was perfectly marvellous. He became an authority superior to all others on any question connected with native races. In the dark and trying times of Mutiny Dr. Wilson was an invaluable counsellor to Government. Lord Elphinstone, who proved, under God, a ruler equal to the terrible emergency, often sought his sympathy and advice' (J. M. M.). In 1870 Dr. Wilson was Moderator of the General Assembly. Died, 1875. Publications.- The Life of John Eliot, the Apostle of Indians (issued anonymously in 1828 when a student). The Parsi Religion: as in the Zend-Avesta. The Evangelisation of India The Caste System The Lands the Bible Visited. Darkness and Dawn in India. The Indian Military Revolt Viewed in its Religious Aspects,, etc. Posthumous.-The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S., for Fifty Years Philanthropist and Scholar in the East. By George Smith, C.I.E., LL.D."