Joseph Salter was a missionary based in the East End of London who focused his energies on 'Asiatics'. He worked for the London City Mission. Salter was the first and resident missionary at the Strangers' Home for Asiatics, Asians and South Sea Islanders, founded in 1857. The Maharaja Duleep Singh was one of the main benefactors for the Home. Salter wrote two books about his work with ex-lascars and other immigrants through this Home and his work in the area. He dedicated his first book to Duleep Singh. Salter gave various ethnographic sketches of the different people he met through his missionary work. He met Indians from the upper classes as well working class. He studied Hindi with the valet of Meer Jafur, the son of a courtier to the Gaekwad of Baroda, in order to evangelize to London-based Indians. Salter also helped establish the Ayahs' Home in Aldgate.