A new blue plaque has been unveiled in Leamington Spa.

The plaque commemorates the missionary, educator and physician Reverend Arthur Margoschis, and is located on the front of the Seasalt Cornwall store on Regent Street in Leamington Spa. 

The Plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Cllr Ruggy Singh on Thursday 27 November. 

Reverend Margoschis was born in Leamington Spa in 1852, trained for a while as a doctor in London then made his way out to Nazareth in southern India in 1875.

During his life there, he made numerous invaluable contributions to the lives of local residents including establishing educational institutions, an orphanage, a Thrift Fund Society, a teachers training school for girls, the Art Industrial School, a theological seminary, a railway station, a spinning mill, a telegraph facility, roads and other vital infrastructures.

The Leamington Spa Blue Plaque Scheme recognises past residents who were born, lived in and worked in the town and made significant contributions to the town or to the wider world.

In this instance, it celebrates the contributions of the Reverend, which might otherwise have been overlooked.

The Plaque was nominated and generously supported by Mr Sam Jebakumar and also supported by a kind donation from the Leamington History Group.

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The Mayor of Leamington said: "What an incredible journey the Reverend lived! It was fascinating to learn about how he was born and spent his early years in our town of Royal Leamington Spa then dedicated the rest of his life to improving the lives of so many others in so many ways. 

"His story as a missionary, educator, and even physician is an inspiring example of what one man can achieve, and I am privileged to have been able to unveil this commemorative plaque in his honour. 

The Royal Leamington Spa Town Council's Blue Plaques Scheme brings together a group of volunteers and local organisations dedicated to celebrating the town's rich history. I wish to thank the Blue Plaque Group for their hard work in ensuring the life's work of people like the Reverend Margoschis is recognised and appreciated"

The Leamington Spa Blue Plaque Group is supported by Royal Leamington Spa Town Council. Further information can be found here.