Like Kamala Harris, Joe Biden too has a Chennai connection - GulfToday

Like Kamala Harris, Joe Biden too has a Chennai connection

  • 10 Nov 2020
KamalaHarris-JoeBiden

Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. File

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris seem to be travelling in the same train, Chennai Express, so to speak.

It’s not just Kamala Harris who is of south Indian (read: Chennai) origin. Fresh news has emerged that Biden’s ancestral roots also lie in the capital of Tamil Nadu, according to a report in a section of the Indian media.

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Tim Willasey-Wilsey, a visiting professor at the King’s College, London, says Joe Biden’s ancestors formerly worked in the East India Company.

In the 19th century, brothers Christopher and William Biden worked for the East India Company, taking the ship route between London and India. While William died at an early age, Christopher went on to captain several ships during his service and eventually settled down to a prosperous life in Madras (as Chennai was then known).

His older brother Christopher Biden became a well-known figure in Madras for many years.

Christopher Biden died in the city and is reportedly commemorated by a plaque in the cathedral there.

Joe Biden commented not long ago that there are five Bidens living in India.

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