Real Lives: Reverend will be remembered for missionary work in Malawi

Published on Wednesday 30 July 2008 10:41

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

REV 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 and his wife Joyce spent seven years doing the work of the Church before being forced out by the country's military regime.

By the time he was able to make an emotional return in the early 1990s, he had achieved a significant amount.

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.

He took an active role at the university, not only in academic circles but also as warden at student residence Pollock Halls.

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

Anne Hepburn, former co-ordinator of the Scotland Malawi Network, met Andrew off the plane when he first touched down in Malawi.

She said: "He had a view of history and politics that was not Euro-centric, and that was a tremendous benefit.

"He was very involved with politics in Malawi, he really identified with the cause of the people there. After being allowed back in the 1990s he had a few stints out there.

"He stayed involved with politics and worked closely with Gordon Brown when he was rector of Edinburgh University.

"He was very talkative and outgoing, and also musical. If I ever held a party he would always lead the singing. He also obsessed about football."

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.

A statement from the Scottish Malawi Partnership read: "Andrew was an inspirational figure in the formation of the Scotland Malawi Partnership."

He is survived by wife Joyce and children Gavin, Malcolm, Alastair, and Diarmid, and four grandchildren.

The funeral will take place at Morningside United Free Church on August 9, with donations going to Child Survival in Malawi.

The family have requested that the event be a joyful occasion and celebration rather than a mournful one.