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 1870 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.

Later life

Thomas Edward Ravenshaw died 4 February 1914, at the age of 86. He is buried at Fulham

References