It is singular that while the biographies of several eminent men of Bengal and Bombay have been published, India knows little or nothing of the greatest men of Southern India. Madras has given birth to several distinguished men who can not snfier in comparison with the best men of other parts of India. Yet, no attempt has hitherto been made to publish a permanent record of their lives for the information of the people of India as a whole and for the instruction and edification of the rising generation of Southern India in particular. About two years ago, it struck me that I may make an attempt however humble, in this direction, and accordingly opened the columns of the Madras Standard for the publication of the biographical sketches of eminent Indians. Out of the numerous sketches that have since appeared under the heading Our Portrait Gallery, I have selected for sepa rate publication the lives of twelve representative men who are held in high esteem by the people ofn.
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