Alexander Murdoch Mackay

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Alexander Murdoch Mackay
Alexander Murdoch Mackay

Alexander Murdoch Mackay (October 13, 1849 - February 4, 1890) was a Presbyterian missionary to Uganda. He studied at the Free Church Training School for Teachers at Edinburgh, then at Edinburgh University, and finally at Berlin. He displayed a great aptitude for mechanics, and spent several years as a draftsman in Germany.

In 1875, he offered his services as a missionary to the Church Missionary Society, was accepted, reached Zanzibar on his way to his field on May 30, 1876, and then to Uganda in November 1878. There, largely through his knowledge of practical mechanics, he enjoyed the protection of Mutesa; but when Mwanga came to the throne in 1884, Mackay's position became difficult because of the king's opposition, and there was little change when Kiwewa succeeded to the throne in 1888. Mackay still held on, however, and it is largely due to his courage, energy, and devotion that the mission in Uganda was in its flourishing condition in 1914.

He fell victim to a malarial fever, and succumbed after four days of illness, having spent fourteen years in Africa without a return to his native Scotland.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Alexander M. Mackay, Pioneer Missionary of the Church Missionary Society in Uganda; by his Sister. London, 1899.
  • Alexander Mackay, Missionary Hero of Uganda. London, 1893.

[edit] References

Part of a series on
Protestant
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Missions timeline
Christianity in Africa

People
William Anderson
John Arthur
Samuel Bill
David Livingstone
George Grenfell
William Henry Sheppard
Alexander Murdoch Mackay
Helen Roseveare
Mary Slessor
Charles Studd

Missionary agencies
American Board
Africa Inland Mission
Baptist Missionary Society
Congo-Balolo Mission
Church Missionary Society
Heart of Africa Mission
Livingstone Inland Mission
London Missionary Society
Mission Africa
Rhenish Missionary Society
SPG
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Pivotal events
Slave Trade Act 1807
Slavery Abolition Act 1833

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