Robert Caldwell was born on 07-05-1814 in Clady, Ireland, to a poor but God-fearing family. He began working when he was only nine years old. Even though he had little formal schooling, he received a chance to study at Glasgow University through the London Missionary Society (LMS). After being ordained, he came to Madras in 1838 as an LMS missionary. Wanting to reach the local people, he learned Tamil well and began sharing the Gospel with them.
Caldwell later became a respected Tamil scholar. His famous book, “A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Languages,” became a helpful guide for future missionaries serving in South India. He was inspired by missionaries such as G. U. Pope and Benjamin Schultz. With great commitment, he worked to uplift the poor. In 1877, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Tirunelveli, and from then on, he carried out many projects that improved the lives of the local communities.
Ministry in India
Caldwell started schools in many towns and villages and built several important churches, including the Holy Trinity Church in Idayangudi. With the support of local catechists, he planned and organized Christian communities, especially among the poor. His wife, Eliza, was a great support in all his mission work. She helped him establish schools and introduced lace-making industries to provide additional income for the people.
Caldwell was deeply loved by the Tamil people because he understood them closely. Despite his fame, he remained humble and faithful to his calling. He was a caring and watchful shepherd to the people he served. Through his hard work and example, he trained many local individuals for ministry. His lifetime of service brought positive changes to both Christians and non-Christians.
After serving for nearly fifty years, he passed away on 28-08-1891, leaving a lasting impact on the people of India.