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Mary Slessor (2 December, 1848 - 13 January, 1915) was a Scottish missionary to Nigeria. Her determined work and strong personality allowed her to be trusted and accepted by the locals, spreading Christianity and promoting women's rights.
Early Life
Mary was born in Aberdeen and moved to Dundee at the age of 11 when her family were looking for work. Her father was an alcoholic who had to stop his work as a shoemaker and eventually became a mill labourer. Mary's mother ensured that she attend church and made her a half time worker at a jute mill, working for half the day and attending the mill school for the other half.
She grew a strong interest in religion and joined a local mission teaching the poor. One famous story from this time is that of the Red Headed Lady. Mary dared a gang of boys that she would not flinch as they swung a metal weight closer and closer to her face. She successfully stayed still and the boys had to attend her Sunday School as forfeit.
Travels to Nigeria
In 1876, she applied to the Foreign Mission Board of the United Presbyterian Church. She was briefly trained before being sent to Calabar where she arrived in September. It was a time of turmoil in Nigeria, the slave trade, which had stopped traditional life for many, had fallen and Britain had seized Lagos to ensure continued trading. Human sacrifice as a part of witchcraft and superstition was common. Women had no rights at all and were considered as low as animals.
Disease was almost universal amongst the missionaries. Mary herself suffered from flu and malaria. Towards the end of her 40 year stay in Africa vaccinations for smallpox and other diseases were becoming available.
Mary shocked many missionaries by living with and as the locals. She learned to speak Efik fluently (phonograph recording of her speaking Efik) and became practised in the local customs and culture, thus enabling her missionary work and promotion of women's rights. Her close understanding of the Nigerians led the local Governor to offer her a position on the Itu court. She adopted a number of children including twins which were considered cursed and often sacrificed.
Recurring illness made her very weak and in 1915 she died of a fever. She was buried in Nigeria after a full state funeral. She is currently depicted on the Clydesdale Bank £10 note.
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