John W. Mackenzie

For other people with the same name, see John Mackenzie.

John William Mackenzie (c. 1845 – 14 October 1914[1]) was a Presbyterian missionary from Nova Scotia to the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu).

Mackenzie was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and studied at Dalhousie College. He served as a missionary in southern Efate from 1872 to 1912. J. P. MacPhie suggested in 1914 that "his tactfulness has meant much to the whole mission and his saintly character has exercised a unique influence upon Europeans as well as natives."[2] According to J. Graham Miller, Mackenzie is "rightly remembered and honoured" as South Efate's "most eminent missionary".[3]

Along with Daniel Macdonald and Peter Milne, Mackenzie translated the Old Testament into the Efatese language.[4]

Mackenzie was the father of William MacKenzie, who served as a missionary in Aurukun, Queensland.

  1. ^ "Personal", The Mercury, 20 October 1914, p. 4.
  2. ^ J. P. MacPhie, Pictonians at Home and Abroad: Sketches of Professional Men and Women of Pictou County – Its History and Institutions.
  3. ^ J. Graham Miller, Live, Volume 2, p. 81.
  4. ^ Miller, Live, Volume 2, p. 92.