A NEW blue plaque commemorating the missionary, educator and physician Reverend Arthur Margoschis has been put up in Leamington.
It was unveiled on the frontage of the Seasalt Cornwall store on Regent Street by mayor Coun Ruggy Singh on Thursday November 27.
Reverend Margoschis was born in Leamington in 1852, trained for a while as a doctor in London then made his way out to Nazareth in southern India in 1875.
During his life there, he made numerous invaluable contributions to the lives of local residents including establishing educational institutions, an orphanage, a Thrift Fund Society, a teachers training school for girls, the Art Industrial School, and a theological seminary. He also introduced a railway station, a spinning mill, a telegraph facility, roads and other vital infrastructures.
The Leamington Blue Plaque Scheme recognises past residents who were born, lived in and worked in Leamington and made significant contributions to the town or to the wider world.
Coun Singh said: “What an incredible journey the Reverend lived. It was fascinating to learn about how he was born and spent his early years in our town of Leamington then dedicated the rest of his life to improving the lives of so many others in so many ways.
“His story as a missionary, educator, and even physician is an inspiring example of what one man can achieve, and I am privileged to have been able to unveil this commemorative plaque in his honour.”
