William Carey

author

William Carey

1761–1834

A self-taught cobbler who became one of the best-known Protestant missionaries of his era, he spent decades in India working as a preacher, translator, educator, and printer. His life is closely tied to Serampore, where his work helped shape modern missionary publishing and education.

1 Audiobook

An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens In Which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the Practicability of Further Undertakings, Are Considered

An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens In Which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the Practicability of Further Undertakings, Are Considered

by William Carey

About the author

Born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1761, William Carey began life far from the world he would later influence. He was largely self-educated, developed a strong interest in languages and geography, and eventually became a Baptist minister. In 1792 he helped inspire and shape the Baptist Missionary Society, and soon afterward traveled to India.

Carey is best remembered for his long years at Serampore, near Calcutta, where he worked with fellow missionaries on preaching, Bible translation, printing, and education. Sources consistently describe him as a major pioneer of Protestant missions, and they also credit him with helping found Serampore College. His work reached across many languages, reflecting both his religious purpose and his remarkable gift for study.

He died in Serampore in 1834. For many readers, what makes Carey interesting is not only his historical importance, but the scale of his determination: he moved from modest beginnings into a life of intense learning, travel, translation, and institution-building.