Scottish Christian.com

Home > News > Scottish Christian News Monitor

Rev Andrew Ross

Rev Andrew Ross, a biographer and missionary worker, has died at the age of 77, following a brief illness.

Mr Ross, who made a telling contribution to history and politics at home and abroad, was a pivotal member of Morningside United Church and honorary fellow of Edinburgh University.

He split his time between Scotland and Malawi, where he was loved and respected by the local population.

The Dalkeith-born Hibs fan, who was as keen on football as he was his academic and mercy work, first arrived in the African country in 1958 with the Church of Scotland.

He became a senior lecturer in ecclesiastical history at Edinburgh University a year after his return to Scotland, and then principal of New College and Dean of the Faculty of Divinity until 1984.

His biography of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary, entitled Mission and Empire, is widely regarded as the best account of the famous Scot.

Malawi also holds a sad place in his heart as daughter Jocelyn is buried there after dying in a car accident.

Other books he wrote included Vision Betrayed: the Jesuits in China and Japan; John Philip: Missions, Race and Politics in South Africa; and Blantyre Mission and the Development of Malawi.

He was also a visiting professor at Yale University.

Full obituary at the Edinburgh Evening News.