Biography of Alexander Duff, Missionary to India

This is a copy of the Thomas Smith’s 1883 biography of the the noted missionary to India, Alexander Duff [1806-1878]. As the author points out, he had both an intimate knowledge of his subject and the co-operation of Duff’s official biographer Mr George Smith. My thanks to Redcliffe College for providing me with a copy of this book to scan. This title is in the public domain.

Thomas Smith [1817-1906], Alexander Duff, D.D., LL.D. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1883. Hbk. pp.200. [Click to download complete book in PDF]

Chapter 1

In one important respect this volume differs from those which have hitherto appeared in the series to which it belongs. They had as their object the revival of memories which had faded; this, the perpetuation of a memory which is still fresh in the minds of many who will read it. They treated of “men worth remembering,” with whom their several authors had no personal associations; this treats of one who very lately lived and moved and had his being among us, and the memory of whose intimate personal friendship, long enjoyed, is to the author a very precious treasure. This difference is certainly in some respects advantageous, in others it will probably prove to be disadvantageous, to the author. It is, of course, an advantage to a biographer to have had an intimate knowledge of him whose doings he is to record, and whose character he is to delineate and estimate. [Continue reading]