S. Subramania Iyer

Sir Subbier Subramania Iyer KCIE (Tamil: சுப்பையர் சுப்பிரமணிய ஐயர்) (1 October 1842 – 5 December 1924) was an Indian lawyer, jurist, and freedom fighter who worked with Annie Besant to establish the Indian Home Rule Movement.

Early Days

Subbaiyar Subramania Iyer was born of Brahman parents on 1 October 1842 in Madura (now Madurai) District, South India. He was brought up amid the enlivening and chastening circumstances of a high-caste Hindu family and hence had access to education in English very early in life. His mind was thus open in its formative period to the influences introduced by the West. His father Subbaiyar was a trusted Vakil or agent of the Zamindar of Ramnad (Madura District). He died in 1844 when Subramaniam was only two years old. Young Subramaniam had his early schooling in a Christian Mission, then in an English school, and in 1856 he entered Zilla High School. He was successful in various fields and passed the highest examination in that school in 1859. His name appeared in the official Gazette and caught the eye of the Collector of the District, and soon the successful young man started his career in Government service as a clerk.

While serving as a clerk, Subramania Iyer passed the examination to become a pleader at the head of the list for the Madras Presidency, but he was not given permission to practise. However, when the Criminal Procedure Code came into force in 1862, his legal qualifications found recognition.