Noah Vinter
Mary Slessor, a female missionary born in Aberdeen, Scotland, had an alcoholic father. Slessor spent 39 years of her life in missionary work on the West Coast of Africa, where she helped open inroads for commerce and Christianity, encouraged legitimate trade, and opposed human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery. Slessor's father was an alcoholic who made life miserable for his entire family. Despite this, Slessor went on to become a well-respected missionary and was even appointed the first female British vice-consul in 1892, making her the leading law enforcement agent for that area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary Slessor |
| Birthplace | Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Date of Birth | 2 December 1848 |
| Family | Mother and 6 siblings |
| Father's Profession | Factory worker |
| Father's Alcoholism | Yes |
| Missionary Work Location | West Coast of Africa, Calabar, Nigeria |
| Age When She Became a Missionary | 28 |
| Year She Became a Missionary | 1876 |
| Notable Achievements | Founded the Hope Waddell Institute in 1895; helped open inroads for commerce and Christianity in Africa; appointed the first female British vice-consul in 1892 |
| Death | 1915, at the age of 67 |
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What You'll Learn
Mary Slessor's father was a drunkard
Mary Slessor was a missionary in Africa, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1848. She was the second of seven children. Her father was a drunkard, and her mother was a devout Christian. Slessor's father made life miserable for his family, and after his death, Slessor worked to support her family, even sending money home from Africa.
Saturdays were particularly unhappy days for the family, as Slessor's father would spend his week's wages on drinking. Sundays, however, were happier, as the family would attend Sunday school, where Mary became a teacher at a young age. Even as a child, she dreamed of Africa, and her favourite game was to teach an imaginary school of black children.
Slessor followed in the footsteps of her hero, David Livingstone, another missionary with a Scottish background who grew up with an alcoholic father. Slessor spent 39 years of her life on the West Coast of Africa, working to open inroads for commerce and Christianity, encouraging legitimate trade, and opposing human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery. She founded the famous Hope Waddell Institute, where Africans could receive training in medical fields and other occupations.
Slessor was well-respected and influential, and in 1892, she was appointed the first female British vice-consul, making her the leading law enforcement agent for her area. The local elders gave her the nickname “Eka Kpukpru Owo,” meaning “Mother of all the People.” She was so beloved that, according to one source, her funeral procession in 1915 was the grandest that West Africa had ever seen.
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Slessor's father made life miserable for his family
Mary Slessor, a female missionary born in Aberdeen, Scotland, had a father who was an alcoholic and made life miserable for his family. Slessor's father's alcoholism caused her mother to work in a factory to support their seven children. Slessor's father's drunkenness led to nights of terror for the family, with his wages being spent on drinking binges.
Slessor grew up in a challenging environment, surrounded by vice and sin from an early age. Despite the difficulties caused by her father's alcoholism, Slessor found solace in her Christian faith and dreamt of becoming a missionary in Africa. She admired David Livingstone, another missionary who had worked in Africa and fought against societal wrongs, including slave trading.
Slessor's father's death brought relief to the family, and Slessor began working to support her mother and siblings. She embarked on her missionary journey to Africa in 1876, dedicating her life to serving the people of Calabar, Nigeria. Slessor's work in Africa included opposing human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery, as well as founding the Hope Waddell Institute for medical training and other occupations.
Slessor's influence and dedication to her work earned her the respect of the local community, who affectionately called her "Mother of all the People." She became the first female British vice-consul in 1892, further solidifying her impact in the region. Slessor's legacy in Africa is remembered as a shining example of Christian devotion and a new conception of womanhood.
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Mary Slessor was a teacher as a child
Mary Slessor, born in 1848 in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, was the second of seven children. Her father was an alcoholic shoemaker, and her mother was a Christian. Slessor's father lost his job due to his drinking problem, and the family moved to Dundee in 1859. Mary started working in a factory at a young age and only attended school for half a day, provided by the Mill. Despite the challenges of growing up with an alcoholic father, Mary Slessor became a teacher when she was still almost a child. She taught at the Sunday school that her mother and her seven children attended. Even as a child, she dreamed of Africa and often played a game where she taught an imaginary school of black children.
Slessor's early experiences with her father's alcoholism and the subsequent financial struggles of her family likely influenced her strong will and determination. She was described as a "wild lassie" before becoming a Christian and often got into mischief. However, she found solace in her mother's faith and prayer life. Slessor's mother prayed for her children, including Mary, to become missionaries.
In 1875, Slessor applied to the Foreign Mission Board and was accepted. She was assigned to Calabar as a teacher and underwent three months of training before sailing off to Africa in August 1876. Slessor's work in Calabar was remarkable, as she adopted and cared for many orphaned children, including twins who were considered seeds of evil spirits in the local culture. She also dressed like the local women, going barefoot and drinking unfiltered water, fully immersing herself in their customs.
Mary Slessor's early life as a teacher and her experiences with her alcoholic father shaped her into a compassionate and dedicated missionary. She found her calling in serving the people of Calabar, Nigeria, and left a lasting legacy in the region.
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Slessor's mother worked in a factory
Mary Slessor was a female missionary who grew up with an alcoholic father. Slessor was born in 1848 in Aberdeen, Scotland, the second of seven children. Her father was an alcoholic who made life difficult for the family. Slessor's mother worked in a factory to support the family, and even when Mary was in Africa, she continued to send money home to help her mother and siblings.
Slessor's early experiences with her father's alcoholism and the difficult circumstances of her childhood may have influenced her decision to become a missionary. She dreamed of Africa as a child and played at teaching imaginary African students. As an adult, she confided her wish to become a missionary in Africa to her mother, who supported her decision.
Slessor followed in the footsteps of her hero, David Livingstone, another Scottish missionary who had grown up with an alcoholic father in the slums of Aberdeen. Like Livingstone, Slessor dedicated her life to improving the lives of people in Africa. She helped open up opportunities for commerce and Christianity, encouraged legitimate trade, and opposed human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery.
In 1876, Slessor took a vow to consecrate her life to missionary work on the West Coast of Africa, specifically in the city of Calabar, Nigeria. She was well-respected and influential, and in 1892, she was appointed the first female British vice-consul, making her the leading law enforcement agent in the area. The local elders nicknamed her "Eka Kpukpru Owo," meaning "Mother of all the People."
Slessor's work in Africa had a significant impact on the region. She founded the Hope Waddell Institute in 1895, which provided training in medical fields and other occupations for African people. Through her efforts, the Efik-speaking people she lived among became one of Africa's most evangelical Christian groups. Slessor dedicated 39 years of her life to serving the people of Africa before her death in 1915.
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Mary Slessor was a missionary in Africa
Slessor's passion for missionary work in Africa was ignited by the death of her hero, David Livingstone, in 1874. She shared his beliefs and wanted to follow in his footsteps by dedicating her life to missionary work. After receiving special training, she set sail for the West Coast of Africa in 1876, at the age of 28. She was appointed to the city of Calabar, Nigeria, where she worked with the United Presbyterian Church, which had been active in the region for many years.
Mary Slessor's missionary work in Calabar was significant because the region was plagued by violent conflicts, slavery, and slave-raiding. She witnessed the horrors of human sacrifices and the killing or abandonment of twin children and their mothers. Despite the challenges, Slessor persevered and made a profound impact on the local communities. She was respected and beloved by the people she served, earning the nickname "Mother of all the People" from the local elders.
In 1895, Slessor founded the Hope Waddell Institute, providing Africans with training in medical fields and other occupations. She also helped open up inroads for commerce and Christianity, promoting legitimate trade and opposing human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery. Her efforts bore fruit, and the Efik-speaking people she lived among became one of Africa's most evangelical Christian groups.
Mary Slessor dedicated 39 years of her life to missionary work on the West Coast of Africa. She passed away in 1915 at the age of 67, weakened by fever, dysentery, and rheumatoid arthritis. Her funeral procession in Duke Town was reportedly the grandest ever seen in West Africa, a testament to the impact she had on the people whose lives she touched.
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Frequently asked questions
Aggie Hurst is the daughter of Swedish missionaries Svea and David Flood. Her father struggled with alcohol and anger issues.
Mary Slessor, who worked in Africa for 39 years, had a drunkard for a father.
Mary Slessor helped open inroads for commerce and Christianity in Africa, encouraging legitimate trade and opposing human trafficking, violence, drug running, and slavery.
