Jejeebhoy, Sir Jamsetjee

Jejeebhoy, Sir Jamsetjee a Parsee philanthropist, was born in Bombay, July 15, 1783. He made voyages between India and China, and amassed a large fortune, possessing at his death about $4,000,000. As early as 1822 he released the debtors confined in the jail by paying their debts; and his donations to public objects were estimated at about $1,500,000. He received the honor of knighthood from Queen Victoria in 1842, and a gold medal in 1843. He endowed hospitals, schools, medical institutions, and other benevolent establishments. A school at Bombay for the education and support of poor Parsee children he endowed at an expense of $250,000. He built comfortable places of refuge for the convenience of travellers in various parts of the country, the causeway which unites the islands of Bombay and Salsette, the water-works at Poonah, the bridges at Earla, Parta, and Bartba, and many other public works. In 1857 he was advanced to the dignity of a baronet. He died at Bombay, April 14, 1859. A statue was erected to his memory in the town-hall of Bombay, and exposed to view August 1, 1859. See Appleton's Amer. Cyclop. s.v.