Thomas Edward Ravenshaw

Thomas Edward Ravenshaw (1 July 1827 – 4 February 1914) was an educator, founder of Ravenshaw College, and a member of the British East India Company.

He was born 1 July 1827, to John Hurdis Ravenshaw and his first wife, Rose Melley Thuillier. His father was in the British East India Company. His grandfather, John Goldsborough Ravenshaw, held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.). He was chairman of the British East India Company.

His mother's father, John Thuillier, was Baron de Malaperte. Thomas's great-great-great grandfather, William Withers, was one time Lord Mayor of London. After his mother died, Thomas's father married Harriet Lalande Biggs, daughter of Lewis James Biggs, who was in the Admiralty. In addition to three brothers (Cornet Edward Cockburn Ravenshaw, George Chandler Ravenshaw, and John Henry Ravenshaw), Thomas also lived with his two step-siblings, Florence Lalande Ravenshaw and Hurdis Secundus Lalande Ravenshaw.

In 1850, Ravenshaw married Mary Susannah Symonds, daughter of Alexander Symonds. They had three sons; Charles Withers Ravenshaw, Lieutenant Herbert Edward Ravenshaw, and Major Harold Alexander Ravenshaw. All his sons were born in India. He had two daughters, Rose Nelly Ravenshaw (1861) and Caroline Annie Ravenshaw (1862) both born in Claines, Worcestershire. Ravenshaw returned to England from India in 1880-1881 and resided at 'South Hill', Turners Hill, Crawley. 'South Hill' is on Paddockhurst Road, about a mile away from Turners Hill and before the left turning to 'Back lane'. One of his unmarried daughter Rose Nelly Ravenshaw lived with him till he died. His eldest son Charles Withers Ravenshaw, a keen photographer, frequently stayed with him with his four daughters. The Ravenshaw family contributed to the community and regularly took part in local activities. Thomas Edward Ravenshaw died on 04th February 1914 and is buried at row 'M' of St Leonard's Parish Church cemetery at Turners Hill.

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