Gilchrist Educational Trust
Encyclopedia
The Gilchrist Educational Trust is a British charity supporting education, perhaps best known for its support of the Gilchrist Lecturers from 1867-1939.
The trust was established in 1841 by the will of British Indologist John Borthwick Gilchrist
, but could not begin work until 1865 due to litigation culminating in an 1858 hearing before the House of Lords
. Gilchrist's will directed that the trust be used "for the benefit advancement and propagation of education and learning in every part of the world as far as circumstances will permit".
Early efforts included scholarships to bring India
n students to England for a university education. When these scholarships were taken over by the Government of India, efforts turned to similar scholarships for other British colonies. When women's colleges were being established, the trust began to provide scholarships for women.
At present the trust provides four types of educational grants:
The trust was established in 1841 by the will of British Indologist John Borthwick Gilchrist
John Borthwick Gilchrist
John Borthwick Gilchrist FRSE was a Scottish surgeon and Indologist.-Early life:Gilchrist was born in Edinburgh to merchant Walter Gilchrist, who disappeared the year he was born...
, but could not begin work until 1865 due to litigation culminating in an 1858 hearing before the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. Gilchrist's will directed that the trust be used "for the benefit advancement and propagation of education and learning in every part of the world as far as circumstances will permit".
Early efforts included scholarships to bring India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n students to England for a university education. When these scholarships were taken over by the Government of India, efforts turned to similar scholarships for other British colonies. When women's colleges were being established, the trust began to provide scholarships for women.
At present the trust provides four types of educational grants:
- Individuals - full-time students at a British university who face unexpected financial difficulties.
- Organisations - for efforts by British organisations.
- Expeditions - modest-sized British expeditions for scientific research abroad.
- Fieldwork Award - biennial award of £15,000 for British overseas research.