Jejeebhoy, Sir Jamsetjee

Sir Jamsetjee (1783-1859), a Bombay merchant. A story runs to the effect that he began mercantile life when a small lad with half a dozen empty bottles, which he sold for enough to purchase seven, etc. By energy and thrift he accumulated a fortune. He was not a Hindu; he belonged to the sect of Parsees, or Fire Worshipers, but was a man of broad charity. He presented the public an immense hospital at Bombay, and established a school for the education of poor Parsee children. He built roads and established inns for travelers. Among other public works, the expense of which was borne by him, was a causeway connecting the island on which Bombay was situated with the mainland. Although a native of India, he ranks with the world's renowned millionaires who have risen from poverty to wealth, and who have known how to use that wealth to good purpose. The gifts made by him without reference to nationality or creed amount to $1,500,000. Queen Victoria knighted him, and in 1857 made him a baronet. A statute in his honor was erected in the town hall of Bombay.