George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood

Who was George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood?

Sir George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood KCIE MD, Anglo-Indian official, naturalist, and writer, son of General Christopher Birdwood, was born at Belgaum, in the Bombay presidency, on 8 December 1832.

He was educated at Plymouth Grammar School and Edinburgh University, where he took his MD degree. Entering the Bombay Medical Service in 1854, he served in the Persian War of 1856-57, and subsequently became professor at the Grant Medical College, registrar of the university, curator of the museum, and sheriff at Bombay, besides acting as secretary of the Asiatic and Horticultural societies.

His work on the Economic Vegetable Products of the Bombay Presidency reached its twelfth edition in 1868. He interested himself prominently also in the municipal life of the city, where he acquired great influence and popularity. He was obliged by ill-health in 1868 to return to England, where he entered the revenue and statistics department of the India Office.

While engaged there he published important volumes on the industrial arts of India, the ancient records of the India Office, and the first letter-book of the East India Company.