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Susannah Jane Rankin

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Susannah Jane Rankin
Born
Susannah Jane Ellis

26 November 1897
Died24 July 1989
Australia
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Missionary, translator, educator, college administrator
SpouseRobert Rankin

Susannah Jane Rankin MBE (26 November 1897 – 24 July 1989, née Ellis) was a Welsh Congregational minister, religious educator, linguist and translator. She spent time as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. She translated works from Welsh and English to the Motu language.

Early life and education

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Susannah Jane Ellis was born at Pengorffwysfa farm, near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, the daughter of Frank Ellis and Jane Ellis.[1] In 1922, she was the first woman at the University of Wales to earn a Bachelor of Divinity, having studied at Bala-Bangor Theological Seminary. She was ordained in 1925 at Pendref, Llanfyllin.[2]

Career

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After serving as a lecturer at Lawes Theological College in Fife Bay. In 1927, Rankin became an evangelist, posted to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.[3]: 4  In 1928, she went to Kalaigoro to improve the mission work there. In 1930, she moved to Saroa to unite the coastal and inland missions.[3]: 4  She taught English and studied the Motu language, and other local languages. She married her husband Robert Rankin, a fellow missionary, in Moru in 1932.[3]: 4  They both returned to the mission station she had established at Saroa and where she would be involved in setting up primary schools.[3]: 4  They would leave Saro and PNG in 1956 for a year's leave before returning to Veiru.[3]: 4 

She and her husband, were appointed Professor and Principal at Chalmers Memorial Theological College after its establishment in 1957.[3]: 4  Her husband died three years later, and she took over the role of Principal until 1964. After retiring in 1965, she returned to Moru and mission work.[3]: 4  For her translation work from Welsh and English to the Motu language, Rankin received an Honorary M.A. degree from the University of Wales.[1]

Personal life

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Susannah Ellis married Robert Rankin in 1932. Robert Rankin died in 1960, during a leave in Australia.[1] Rankin died in Australia in 1989, aged 91 years.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Gruffydd, Ioan Wyn. "RANKIN, SUSANNAH JANE". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  2. ^ Jones, Robert Tudur (2004). Congregationalism in Wales. University of Wales Press. p. 285. ISBN 978-0-7083-1887-4.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "6 Territorians honored". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 3 January 1972. p. 4. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.