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.
Susannah Jane Rankin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Susannah Jane Ellis 26 November 1897 near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire |
| Died | 24 July 1989 Australia |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Missionary, translator, educator, college administrator |
| Spouse | Robert Rankin |
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]
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 in Moru in 1932, a fellow missionary.[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]
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]