The first intellectual biography of Alexander Hetherwick, a key figure in Scotland-Malawi relations. Mission, race and colonialism were three forces shaping Malawi's history during the early years of the 20th century. They found a concentrated meeting point in the life of Scottish missionary Alexander Hetherwick, who led Blantyre Mission from 1898 to 1928. This book presents a fresh assessment of this towering figure in Malawi's history, contesting the scholarly consensus that Hetherwick betrayed the early ideals of Blantyre Mission by compromising too much with the colonial system that was in force during his leadership. Kenneth R. Ross assesses the pervasive influence of colonialism, from which Hetherwick was not exempt, and traces the ways in which he resisted such influence through his relentless commitment to the interests of the African community and the inspiration he found in the emergence of the African church.

Kenneth R. Ross is Professor of Theology and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Zomba Theological University, and Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria.