William Carey

NAME William Carey

WHAT FAMOUS FOR William Carey is renowned as the "father of modern missions." He was also an English Christian missionary, a Particular Baptist minister, a translator, social reformer, and cultural anthropologist.

BIRTH William Carey was born on August 17, 1761, in Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Carey was born into a relatively modest family. His father, Edmund Carey, was a weaver who was appointed the parish clerk and village schoolmaster when William was six. His mother was Elizabeth Carey.

CHILDHOOD William Carey had a curious and scholarly disposition from a young age. He displayed a keen interest in nature and learning, often collecting specimens and studying books far beyond his years.

EDUCATION Carey's formal education was limited to the village school where his father taught. However, he was largely self-educated, teaching himself Latin, Hebrew, and Greek, while working as a cobbler, and developing a strong interest in theology and natural sciences.

Carey founded Serampore College and University, the first degree-awarding university in India.

CAREER RECORD Carey began his career as a cobbler, where he met fellow Christian enthusiasts. He became the full-time pastor of Harvey Lane Baptist Church in Leicester in 1789. 

Carey's interest in missions led to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792. He spent 41 years in India, translating the Bible into several Indian languages, founding mission schools, and campaigning against social injustices. 

He was also a professor of Oriental languages at Fort William College in Calcutta from 1801 to 1830.

He also founded the Serampore College and was a key figure in the establishment of the modern missionary movement.

APPEARANCE William Carey was described as a man of medium height with a serious demeanor. He often wore simple clothing appropriate for his missionary work and lifestyle.

William Carey by unknown author

FASHION Carey's fashion was practical and modest, reflecting his missionary ethos and the humble means of his early life.

CHARACTER Carey was known for his perseverance, humility, and deep faith. He possessed a tireless work ethic and an unwavering commitment to his missionary calling.

SENSE OF HUMOUR While primarily serious and focused on his mission, Carey had a gentle sense of humor that surfaced in his personal writings and correspondence.

RELATIONSHIPS In 1779, Carey entered into an apprenticeship with local shoemaker Thomas Old. Four years later, he married Old’s sister-in-law, Dorothy Plackett, at St. John the Baptist Church, Piddington. Dorothy was a woman of simple faith but limited education. 

In April 1793, Carey departed for India with his eldest son, Felix, as well as Thomas and his family. Dorothy, pregnant with their fourth child and having never ventured far from home, had initially resisted the move. However, after much persuasion and the assurance of her sister Kitty's support during childbirth, she eventually agreed to join them.

The couple welcomed seven children, tragically losing two daughters in infancy and a son, Peter, to dysentery at the age of five. The cumulative stress of these losses, compounded by the death of their son, precipitated a severe mental breakdown from which Dorothy never recovered. 

Despite urging from friends and colleagues to institutionalize her, Carey, fearing the harsh conditions of asylums, cared for her at home, though their children were exposed to her unpredictable behavior.

Dorothy passed away in 1807. Her deteriorating mental health had long since prevented her from contributing to the mission, and her condition had become an increasing burden. However, Carey’s unwavering love and compassion were evident as he cared for his wife, a reflection of the sacrificial spirit that defined his life.

Carey found solace and companionship in his second marriage to Charlotte Rhumohr, a Danish member of his congregation. Charlotte was a woman of intellect and shared Christian conviction. 

Their marriage lasted thirteen years until her death in 1821. A year later, Carey suffered the loss of his eldest son, Felix. 

In 1823, Carey married for a third time, to Grace Hughes, a widow.

MONEY AND FAME Carey lived modestly, directing financial gains towards his mission work. He gained fame and recognition for his contributions to missions, translation, and social reform, but remained humble throughout his life.

FOOD AND DRINK Carey adopted a simple diet, often reflective of the local cuisine during his time in India. He was not known to have any particular indulgences in food and drink.

MUSIC AND ARTS Carey appreciated music and arts within the context of his religious beliefs, often integrating hymns and Christian art into his work.

LITERATURE A prolific writer, Carey produced numerous religious and educational texts. He was deeply influenced by the Bible and religious literature, which guided his missionary and translation work. His 1792 essay, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, helped spark the modern missionary movement.

Carey was instrumental in translating the Bible into several Indian languages, including Bengali, Sanskrit, and Marathi. 

NATURE Carey had a lifelong fascination with nature, often incorporating his love for natural sciences into his missionary activities. He collected and documented various plant species during his time in India.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Carey's primary hobbies included studying languages, translating texts, and documenting flora and fauna. He was not known to participate in sports.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Carey had a keen interest in science, particularly botany. He was also knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, which complemented his missionary work.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY  Carey's philosophy and theology were rooted in his Christian faith. He believed in the universal mission of spreading Christianity and was influenced by Baptist and evangelical teachings. His famous epigram, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God," reflects his theological outlook.

POLITICS Carey was not actively involved in politics, but his work had significant social and cultural implications, particularly in advocating for social reforms in India, such as the abolition of sati (widow burning).

SCANDAL Carey faced opposition and criticism, particularly from those who opposed his missionary work and from within the colonial establishment. However, there were no personal scandals associated with him.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Carey faced numerous health challenges throughout his life, including malaria and dysentery during his time in India. Despite these issues, he continued his work with determination.

HOMES Carey lived in various places throughout his life, starting in England and then moving to India. In India, he spent much of his time in Serampore, where he established the Serampore College and Mission.

Carey lived at the Serampore College by Biswarup Ganguly Wikipedia

TRAVEL Carey traveled from England to India in 1793, a journey that marked the beginning of his long-term missionary work. He traveled extensively within India to spread his mission.

DEATH William Carey died on June 9, 1834, in Serampore, India. He was buried in the mission cemetery in Serampore.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Carey's life and work have been the subject of numerous biographies, scholarly articles, and documentaries, highlighting his contributions to missions and translations.

ACHIEVEMENTS Carey's achievements include translating the Bible into multiple Indian languages, founding the Serampore College, and playing a pivotal role in the modern missionary movement. 

His work in social reform, particularly in education and the abolition of inhumane practices, left a lasting impact on Indian society. 

By the end of the nineteenth century, there were over half a million native Indian Protestants, a testament to Carey's trailblazing efforts.