Theophilus Fredric Schmid (1832/3–1906)

German missionary. From Württemberg. Linguist for the South American Missionary Society (then the Patagonian Missionary Society), 1854. Arrived in South America in 1856, later taking up residence on Keppel Island. Travelled to mainland Patagonia with Allen Gardiner in 1858. Appointed catechist, 1859, and travelled to Punta Arenas, Chile, where he spent about six months researching the language, costume, and customs of the Patagonians. Made a second expedition to Patagonia with another catechist, Johannes Friedrich Hunziker, in 1861. Set up a mission at Weddell Bluff, on the Santa Cruz river, with Hunziker, in 1862. Later worked near Bahia Blanca (Argentina) and in Fray Bentos (Uruguay). Gave up his position and returned to Europe, 1874. Curate of Fawnhope, Herefordshire, 1877–81; vicar of Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire, 1881–7; Little Hinton, Wiltshire, 1887-94. Took British citizenship, 1883.