Johannes Thoft Krogh (29 January 1919 – 22 October 1980) was the registrar of India's first University, the Senate of Serampore College, who was in office from 1975 through 1978.Senate of Serampore College (University), Registrars of the Senate
As a missionary of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, Krogh was one of the editorsAnnual Report of the Registrar of Newspapers of India 1962, Office of the Registrar of Newspapers, 1962, p.44. of the weekly,Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 57, Indian History Congress, 1997, p.471. Pera Hoor which was published from 1922 in Santali language.
Education Krogh was educated at the State School in Horsens where he studied until 1937 and then at the Copenhagen University where he graduated in 1944 as a Candidate of Theology.
Ecclesiastical ministry
Jharkhand Krogh first came to India in 1947 as a Missionary of the Lutheran Church of Denmark and was Rector of the Kaerabani Santal High School in Benagaria, now under Dumka District in Jharkhand. He was then assigned to Assam from where he returned in 1953Danish Mission Photo Archives, Folder 497 to build up the Santal Theological Seminary (now Santal Theological College) and was Principal until 1972. Krogh made significant contribution to the Seminary ensuring affiliation of the Seminary sometime between 1963 and 1965 to the Senate of Serampore College. Krogh's efforts at the College fructified and many of his students have made significant contribution to the Church in India. Timotheas Hembrom, who happened to be one of Krogh's students, became an Old Testament Scholar.
Assam From 1948 to 1953, Krogh was Missionary in Gauranga, Kokrajhar district, as well as Bongaigaon in Assam and returned in academics when he went back to Jharkhand to take up the Principalship of the Santal Theological College.
West Bengal From 1972 onwards, Krogh was made Associate Registrar of the Senate of Serampore College where he workedDanish Mission Photo Archives, Folder 114 along with C. Devasahayam, then Registrar and in the ensuing years, Krogh was made full charge of the Registrarship as Devasahayam went on leave from 1975 to 1978 as Pastor of the Lower Circular Road Baptist Chapel founded by William Carey in Kolkata.
Honours In 1968, Krogh was made a Council Member of the Senate of Serampore College along with C. D. Jathanna. On Krogh's departure from India in 1978, the Senate of Serampore College conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by honoris causa.Senate of Serampore College (University), List of the Recipients of the Degree of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa).
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