What
forces drove this man of humble beginnings to become a name revered around the
world?
Born
in rural Northamptonshire Carey’s only education was provided by his
father’s charity school and the natural world around him. He was then
apprenticed to a shoemaker in Piddington and married there. It was during this
time he met dissenters at nearby Hackleton, became a Christian and a founder of
the chapel there. His interest in
languages was awakened by finding a Greek Bible commentary, and he turned to
more learned Christians – especially at Olney – to develop his newfound
faith.
Carey
went on to become a schoolmaster and pastor at Moulton, as well as continuing to
make shoes. Here his heart began to
ache for the millions who knew nothing of the Christian gospel. After moving to
Leicester he finally became instrumental in the formation of the Baptist
Missionary Society in 1792. He volunteered to become their first missionary,
setting sail to India from where he never returned.
Remembered
as he is as a missionary, he gave so much more to India and to the world. He
became a professor of Bengali, Sanskrit and Marathi at the Fort William College
in Calcutta training young men for the Indian Civil Service. His passion for
social justice led him to campaign for the abolition of ‘sati’ (widow
burning), female infanticide and the burning alive of people with leprosy.
Having set up the first printing press in India, he translated the Bible into
many Indian languages. He also translated Indian classical literature and
traditional stories as well as publishing the first newspaper in Bengali.
His passion for education led to schools being set up – for boys and
girls – as well as the establishment of Serampore
College, the first college in India to teach a wide range of subjects in
vernacular languages and to confer degrees. Carey’s interest in botany led him
to found the Agro-Horticultural Society of India and to produce books on both
science and natural history.
The influence of this great man on the spiritual, social and economic development of India is a lasting legacy.