8 March 2015

14.00 – 15.30pm (doors open at 13.45)

Join curator Dr Sarah Worden and guests in a celebration of Mary Slessor’s remarkable life on the centenary of her death.

Mary Slessor (1848 – 1915) was born in Aberdeen and raised in Dundee. Inspired by David Livingstone, she was recruited as part of the expansion of African mission work in the Calabar region, during an era in which Christianity and colonialism made a great impact on the way of life for the indigenous people.

At the event, Dr Esther Breitenbach, Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh introduced us to Mary, describing her life and work in Calabr (now Nigeria) and her status after her death.

Curator Dr Sarah Worden considered the impact that Mary – and other missionaries like her – had, on shaping museum collections in the mid to late 19th century and into the early 20th century.

The event was hosted and chaired by Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Cyrenians.

Part of International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March 2015.