William Reeve (missionary) facts for kids
William Reeve (1794-1850) was an important person who lived a long time ago. He worked as a missionary in India for the London Missionary Society. A missionary is someone who travels to teach about their religion.
Reeve is famous for creating one of the first dictionaries for the Kannada language. He also helped translate the Bible into Kannada.
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William Reeve: A Pioneer in India
William Reeve was born in 1794 and passed away in 1850. He spent a significant part of his life working in India. He was sent there by the London Missionary Society, a group that aimed to spread Christianity and help people in different parts of the world.
Creating the Kannada Dictionary
One of William Reeve's biggest achievements was compiling an early dictionary for the Kannada language. Kannada is a language spoken mainly in the Indian state of Karnataka. He worked on this dictionary from 1827 to 1834 while he was living in a city called Bangalore.
This dictionary was very important because it helped people learn and understand the Kannada language better. It was the first dictionary to connect Kannada words with English words. The dictionary was finally published in 1858, after Reeve had passed away. The Wesleyan Mission Press published it, and Sir Mark Cubbon, a British official in Mysore, helped pay for it.
Translating the Bible
Besides the dictionary, William Reeve also played a key role in translating the Bible into the Kannada language. He worked on this project with another person named John Hands. Translating the Bible made it possible for more people in India to read and understand the religious text in their own language.
Later Life and Legacy
After his work in India, William Reeve returned to England. From 1836 to 1843, he served as a minister at a church in Oswestry. Sadly, he later lost his eyesight completely. After losing his sight, he moved to Bristol, where he lived until his death in 1850.
William Reeve's work in creating the Kannada dictionary and translating the Bible left a lasting impact. His efforts helped people learn and understand the Kannada language and its connection to English.
