Page:Dictionary of Indian Biography.djvu/476

 8, 1879 : F.R.G.S. and Member of Russian Geographical Societies.

WOOD, JOHN ( ? - ? )

During the war of 1767 with Hyder Ali, Col. John Wood saw much active service, distinguishing himself in the campaign : in 1769, at the instance of a Major Fitzgerald, he was tried by court-martial for misappropriation of public moneys, but acquitted : the Madras Government did not concur in the verdict, and dismissed him : the Court of Directors reversed this decision, 1771, and reinstated him.

WOOD, JOHN (1811–1871)

Born 1811 : joined the E. I. Co.'s naval service, 1826 : commanded the first vessel, the Indus, in the navigation of the Indus river, 1835–6 : Assistant to Burnes (q.v.) in his commercial mission to Afghanistan, 1836 : reported on the Kabul Valley : discovered the source of the Oxus river : in 1858, Manager of the Oriental Steam Navigation Co. in Sind : Superintendent of the Indus steam flotilla from 1861 : died in Sind, Nov. 13, 1871 : wrote A Personal Narrative of a Journey to the Source of the Oxus, 1841.

WOOD, SIR MARK, BARONET (1747–1829)

Son of Alexander Wood : born 1747 : joined the E. I. Co.'s military service, in the Bengal Engineers, 1772 : Colonel, 1795 : Surveyor-General, 1787 : Chief Engineer in Bengal, 1790 : returned to England, 1793 : was elected M.P. in 1794, 1796 and 1802, retiring in 1818 : made a Baronet, 1808 : died Feb. 6, 1829 : wrote on The Late War with Tippoo, Sultan, 1800; A Journey from England to India through Egypt in 1779, 1803 : he surveyed Calcutta and the country on the banks of the Hughli river to the sea, 1780–5.

WOOD, WILLIAM MARTIN (1828–)

Born Nov. 23, 1828 : son of William Wood, schoolmaster : educated at Scarborough, Sheffield People's College, and University College, Gower Street : leader writer on the Lancaster Guardian, 1862, and its London Correspondent to end of 1864 : Editor of the Times of India, holding that post, with brief intervals, until March, 1874 : wrote for other Indian journals all over India, also for Vanity Fair : was the Times' correspondent for the Baroda State Trial, 1875 : sent weekly notes to London journals : Proprietor and Editor of the Bombay Review and Indian Advertiser, 1878–80 : Fellow of the Bombay University, 1876 : Examiner for several years in Political Economy, History, Literature : wrote Things of India made plain, and several pamphlets, 1865–80.

WOODBURN, SIR JOHN (1843–1902)

I.C.S. : born at Barrackpur, July 13, 1843 : son of David Woodburn, M.D., of the E. I. Co.'s service : educated at Ayr Academy, Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities : arrived in India in Dec. 1863 : served in the N.W.P. and Oudh in minor appointments until he became first Revenue, and afterwards Chief Secretary to the Local Government in 1888 : was a Member of the Governor-General's Legislative Council in 1891 and 1893 : Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces, 1893–5 : Member of the Supreme Council, 1895–7 : Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal from April, 1898, till his death. He was made C.S.I. in 1892 and K.C.S.I. in 1897. He had great influence in, and affection for, Oudh : in Bengal he had everything to learn. His Lieutenant-Governorship was comparatively uneventful. It devolved on him to pass the Calcutta Municipal Act of 1899, and to combat the plague. His policy was to inculcate the necessity of cleanliness and disinfection, but to avoid irritating the people by compulsory segregation and evacuation of buildings. The relaxation of the plague regulations endeared him to the native public. His geniality, tact, courtesy, and kindness of heart rendered him generally popular among all classes. He was generous and delighted in hospitality. He fell ill on tour in Aug. 1902 : died Nov. 21, 1902, and was buried in the Circular Road Cemetery, Calcutta.

WOODROFFE, JAMES TISDALL (1838–)

Born March 16, 1838 : son of Very Rev. John Canon Woodroffe : educated at Trinity College, Dublin : called to the bar at the Inner Temple, 1860 : practised