Sir George Birdwood

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Sir George Birdwood can certainly be considered as one of the architects of the city of Bombay in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Although he was trained as a doctor of medicine from the University of Edinburgh, he devoted his life to the betterment of Bombay thereby winning the goodwill of both Indians and Europeans. He was a multifaceted person who could multitask several activities at the same time. Thus, he was the honorary secretary of the Agri-Horticultural Society and set up the Victoria Gardens. At the same time he was Curator of the Victoria and Albert Museum in the same premises. He became the Registrar of the University of Bombay and his friendship with Indians enabled him to procure funds for the University and its glorious buildings. He was also appointed to manage the Elphinstone Funds the educational funds for Bombay. He was appointed Sheriff of Bombay in recognition for his work. His predilection for Art and his writings about decorative art forms led to India being recognized in the world of art.

This monograph describes Sir George Birdwood's life and the work he did in India and afterwards at the India Office in London.

Vijay Gupchup has been an educator and a historian, associated with premier institutions in Mumbai for several years. She studied at the Cathedral and John Conon School, the Elphinstone College and the St. Xavier's Institute of Education; later she received a Ph.D. in History from the University of Mumbai. She taught at the Cathedral and John Conon Infant School from 1979 and was the Headmistress of the School from 1991 to 1998. Based on her extensive historical research she has authored books entitled Bombay Social Change 1813-1857 (1990); St. 'Thomas' Cathedral Bombay: A Witness to History (2005). She has been a contributing author to Zero Point Bombay: In and Around Horniman Circle (2008), brought out by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. She was nominated to the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) of the State Government of Maharashtra as a city historian, for two terms. She has also authored books for children, which include Family Ties (1998); Festivals in Regions and Seasons of India (1999), and Indian Toys Come Alive (2004). Her short stories on animals and birds had appeared regularly in the Sanctuary Asia-Cub magazine. Her keen interest in the history of Mumbai has encouraged her to conduct research and write about lives and works of people who have contributed to the growth of the city.