Mary Slessor of Calabar: Pioneer Missionary

Livingstone begins by detailing Slessor''s early life in Dundee Scotland where she grew up in poverty. Despite her difficult circumstances Slessor''s strong Christian faith and sense of purpose led her to join the Presbyterian Church''s missionary work in Nigeria. The biography traces her arrival in Calabar in 1876 and her determination to live among the local people learning their language customs and gaining their trust. Slessor’s work went beyond traditional missionary activities. She became a fierce advocate for women''s and children''s rights often intervening to save lives threatened by local customs such as the killing of twins which was believed to bring bad luck. Livingstone portrays Slessor as a courageous and compassionate figure who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the Nigerian people advocating for peace justice and education. The book highlights her deep respect for the local culture her adaptability and her leadership as a woman in a male-dominated field making Mary Slessor of Calabar a moving tribute to a pioneer missionary who left a lasting legacy in Africa.