Thomas Smith (missionary)

Thomas Smith (1817–1906) was a Scottish missionary who was instrumental in establishing India's zenana missions.

Early life

Smith was born in Symington, Lanarkshire, on 8 July 1817, the son of John Smith and Jean (née Stodart). He was educated at the local parish school in Symington and then at Edinburgh University, where he matriculated aged thirteen and studied under Thomas Chalmers.[1]

Career as a missionary

In 1839, Smith travelled to Calcutta as a missionary. Before his departure he married Grace, the daughter of D. K. Whyte, a Royal Navy paymaster; the couple would have five children.

He soon became editor of the Calcutta Review and Calcutta Christian Observer. In 1840 he proposed the establishment of what would become known as the zenana missions, and his scheme was implemented in the 1850s by John Fordyce.

When the Indian Mutiny broke out in 1857, Smith acted as the chaplain of the 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch) at Calcutta, accompanying the regiment when it was on active service.[1]

Return to Scotland

In 1858 Smith returned to Scotland, his career as a missionary having been ended by cholera. The following year he became minister of Cowgatehead Free Church, Edinburgh.[2]

In 1880 he was appointed professor of evangelistic theology at New College, Edinburgh, a role in which he continued until 1893.[3] In 1880 he published Medieval Missions, and he followed this in 1883 with a biography of his fellow Scottish missionary Alexander Duff.[4] He later published Memoirs of James Begg (2 vols, 1885–8).[5]

Contribution to mathematics

Smith was also a mathematician. He published An Elementary Treatise on Plane Geometry in 1857[6] and Euclid: His Life and System in 1902.[7]

References

  1. 1 2  Lee, Sidney, ed. (1912). "Smith, Thomas (1817-1906)". Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement​. 3. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. ↑ Index of Congregations, Presbytery of Edinburgh.
  3. ↑ Hugh Watt, New College, Edinburgh: A Centenary History (Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, 1946), p. 251.
  4. ↑ Thomas Smith's biography of Alexander Duff.
  5. ↑ Text of Memoirs of James Begg.
  6. ↑ Text of An Elementary Treatise on Plane Geometry.
  7. ↑ Text of Euclid: His Life and System.
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