Robert Caldwell

Early Life and Education

Robert Caldwell was born on May 7, 1814, at Clady in Northern Ireland to Scottish parents. Largely self-taught in his early years and deeply religious, Caldwell later graduated from the University of Glasgow, where he developed a keen interest in the comparative study of languages.

At the age of 24, he arrived in Madras on January 8, 1838, as a missionary of the London Missionary Society and subsequently joined the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG). In 1844, he married Eliza Mault.

Missionary and Social Contributions

As a missionary, Caldwell’s contributions were significant. He transformed the dry, palm-covered lands of Idayangudi into a more habitable and developed settlement, contributing to the social and economic upliftment of the region.

Love for Tamil Language and Literature

Caldwell was an ardent admirer of Tamil language, art, and culture. He authored several Tamil works, including Narkarunai Thianamalai and Thamarai Thadagam, and wrote articles such as Ganasudhanam and Narkarunai. Among his notable English works were The History of Tirunelveli and his landmark linguistic study, A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South-Indian Family of Languages.

Through comparative linguistic analysis, he demonstrated connections between Tamil Nadu and other ancient cultures, citing examples such as the Tamil word “Thogai” and its resemblance to “Thugi” in Hebrew, and “Arisi” and “Arusa” in Greek.

Archaeological and Scholarly Achievements

Caldwell conducted excavations at historic sites such as Punnaikkayal and Korkai, helping to draw scholarly attention to the antiquity of ancient Tamilagam. Proficient in 18 languages, he was a distinguished member of the Royal Asiatic Society and was conferred the honorary titles of LLD and DD in recognition of his scholarship.

Legacy and Commemoration

Robert Caldwell passed away on August 28, 1891, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fields of linguistics, history, and Tamil studies.

In honour of his invaluable contributions, the Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp celebrating the life and work of Robert Caldwell.