Thomas Edward Ravenshaw

Thomas Edward Ravenshaw (1 July 1827 – 4 February 1914) was an educator, founder of Ravenshaw College, and a member of the British East India Company.

Early life

He was born 1 July 1827, to John Hurdis Ravenshaw and his first wife, Rose Melley Thuillier. His father was in the British East India Company. His grandfather, John Goldsborough Ravenshaw, held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.). He was chairman of the British East India Company.

His mother's father, John Thuillier, was Baron de Malaperte. Thomas's great-great-great grandfather, William Withers, was one time Lord Mayor of London. After his mother died, Thomas's father married Harriet Lalande Biggs, daughter of Lewis James Biggs, who was in the Admiralty. In addition to three brothers (Cornet Edward Cockburn Ravenshaw, George Chandler Ravenshaw, and John Henry Ravenshaw), Thomas also lived with his two step-siblings, Florence Lalande Ravenshaw and Hurdis Secundus Lalande Ravenshaw.

Personal life

In 1850, Ravenshaw married Mary Susannah Symonds, daughter of Alexander Symonds. They had three sons; Charles Withers Ravenshaw, Lieutenant Herbert Edward Ravenshaw, and Major Harold Alexander Ravenshaw.

Career

Ravenshaw worked for the Indian Civil Service as the Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit at Cuttack from 1865 to 1878. He persuaded the British Government to set up a school in Cuttack, Orissa, India. They accepted his proposal, and Ravenshaw College was founded in honor of Ravenshaw's actions.^[1] He also worked for the British East India Company. He was in India for about 30 years.

Later life

Thomas Edward Ravenshaw died 4 February 1914, at the age of 86. He is buried at St Leonards Church at Turners Hill in West Sussex.

Ravenshaw was born in 1st July, 1827 and died in 4th February, 1914. He entered in East India Govt. service in 1842. When the great famine (Na-anka Durbhikshya) occurred in Orissa, he was the Commissioner of Orissa Division. He was the Commissioner of Orissa Division three times during 1865, 1869 & last time in 1871-1879 He has a great love for Orissan people and to develop Odia language. He has collected more palm leaf manuscripts from the areas who have preserved the Pothis in their homes. He creates opportunities for getting employment by the Odia people. He purchased shares for establishing Printing Company in Cuttack. It was organised by Gouri Shankar Ray. For flourishing education he established Medical School, Ravenshaw College. An Inquiry Committee was established consisting of the following members to enquire the situation of the famine in Odisha From October, 1865 the famine break out, lakhs of people died on starvation. To inquire the cause of the famine, an inquiry Commission was set up headed by a Judge of High Court. The followings are the members and the President of the Orissa Famine Commission -1865. On the despatch dated 9.10.1866 of Secretary of State for India, the Commission was set up on December, 1866 and submitted its report on 6.4.1867. 1. Sir George Campbell President Judge of High Court Subsequently Lt. Governor of Bengal 2. Col. W.E. Morton, RE` Member Subsequently Chief Engineer, North-Western Provinces 3. H.L. Dampier, Member-Secretary Secretary to Board of Revenue, Lower Provinces The Commission summoned Col. F.H. Roundell, RE, Chief Engineer, EII&CC to give witness as to why you have stopped the canal work ? Col. Roundell replied that as per agreement with Govt. the waters are not used by the zamidara/ people so there was a loss to the Company and the Company was not in a position to start the work. It is known that Ravenshaw was responsible for such mis-happenings. Madhusudan Das went to Britain in 1908 for his protest treatment. He write a letter Ravenshaw. Ravenshaw was waited in the Railway Station to take to him home. Madhusudan Das did not see Ravenshaw only know his name. Madhusudan Das wearing cloth and coat. Ravenshw saw a man wearing Clothes. He made it out that the man who wearing cloth and coat is definitely Madhusudan Das. He took to him to his residence. Such a man like Ravenshaw. He never forget the people of Odisha. After the severe famine, still then he came to Odisha as the Commissioner, this shows his deep devotion towards the people of Odisha. It is his love and affection for the people of Odisha. Baikunthnath Khatua

References