Record

LevelSub-fonds
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)CMS/ACC591
TitleAccession 591
Extent1 item
Date1804
DescriptionCopy of letter from Henry Martyn
ArrangementThis collection forms part of the Church Missionary Society Unofficial Papers. It is arranged into one series: Miscellaneous Papers
LanguageEnglish
Finding AidsA catalogue of this collection (forming part of the wider CMS/ACC unofficial papers catalogue) is available on the online archive catalogue. Click on the Finding Number to display the summary contents list of the catalogue and to view the full catalogue. A paper copy of this catalogue is also available for consultation at Special Collections.
Access StatusOpen
Administrative HistoryReverend Henry Martyn (1781-1812) was born in Truro and went up to St John's College, Cambridge in 1897 where he came under the influence of Charles Simeon, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church who had been instrumental in founding the Society for Missions to Africa and the East (later CMS). In 1802 Martyn was ordained into the Church of England and appointed as chaplain with the East India Company. At the same time he was pursuing studies in Persian and Arabic texts as well as learning Indian languages, including Urdu and Hindustani. He left for India in July 1805 and served in Calcutta, Patna and Cawnpore. Martyn was still anxious to do missionary work and was encouraged by the reversal of policy of the East India Company in 1810 which allowed, for the first time, missionaries into the areas under its control. Not only did he undertake missionary work but also translated the New Testament and Book of Psalms into Persian and the New Testament into Arabic and Urdu. He died in 1812 on a journey through Armenia and Turkey heading towards Constantinople.
Source: http://www.mundus.ac.uk/ (accessed 28 Feb 2007)
Custodial HistoryDeposited with the CMS in February 1988 and transferred to the Special Collections Department in 2005

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