Kandukuri Veeresalingam (16 April 1848 – 27 May 1919) is a social reformer and writer from the Madras Presidency, British India, current Andhra Pradesh .

He was one of the early social reformers who encouraged the education of women and the remarriage of widows (which was not supported by society during his time).

Generally recognised as the first Telugu novel, it is inspired by The Vicar of Wakefield, a novel by the Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith His works include: Kandukuri Veeresalingam was inspired by the principles of Brahmo Samaj leaders like Raja Rammohan Roy, Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, & Keshab Chandra Sen.

The magazine was initially printed in Chennai (then Madras), but with his writings gaining popularity, he established his own press at Rajahmundry.

Remarriage of widows was not appreciated in the society during those days, and he opposed this practice by quoting verses from the Hindu Dharma Sastra to prove his point.

His opponents used to organise special meetings and debates to counter his arguments, and even resorted to physical violence against him when they failed to stop him.

Undeterred, Veeresalingam started a Remarriage Association and sent his students all over Andhra Pradesh to find young single men willing to marry widows.