Daniel O'Connor has led a remarkable life as a priest, scholar, missionary and teacher. His ten years as chaplain and lecturer in St Stephen's College, Delhi and his years as Principal of the College of the Ascension, Selly Oak established him as one of the leading scholars of missionary activity during the time of the British Empire and afterwards.

Identifying closely with post-colonialism his writings on C. F. Andrews and Verrier Elwin provide a rich resource for the history of late imperial and early independent India. O'Connor wrote the latest official history of the USPG.

The essays in this book provide an introduction to his many writings, beginning with his early work on the Private Devotions of Bishop John Cosin of Durham and concluding with his magisterial overview of the "geography" of Anglican missions over the centuries. Dan's own writings are followed by some writings on spirituality by his wife Juliet.