Edward Strutt (missionary)
Rev. Edward Strutt (1853–1911) was a Wesleyan missionary who worked extensively in Sri Lanka in the latter part of the 19th century.
Background
He was born in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, England in 1853 to parents George and Elizabeth (née Housley).
Family
Strutt was the youngest of 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls). His father was a master bootmaker who had always been very involved with the Wesleyan Church and it is likely that this was the main factor which led him to become a missionary.
Strett married Katharine Osborn, youngest daughter of Rev. Dr. George Osborn, who served as General Secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society for 17 years. They went on to have two sons in 1884, Arnold Unwin & Raymond Hugh (presumed twins) while posted in Colombo.
Writing
He wrote a book entitled Memorials of Thomas Lowe of Rusholmewhich was published in 1892. His memoirs were also published posthumously by his son, Raymond in 1913. The book was entitled A Missionary Mosaic from Ceylon and appears to have been popular as a Sunday School prize. This book highlights some of the real dangers faced by missionaries at this time with him writing of severe Typhoid outbreaks in his time in Ceylon.
Later life
In August 1890 Strutt was appointed as 2nd Minister for the Oxford Road Chapel in Rusholme, Lancashire, England. This is a post he would hold with the church until 1893.
Death
Strutt died at the age of 58 in Newquay, Cornwall on 15 April 1911. He had returned to England in 1887 due to poor health and this is likely to have been a factor in him passing away at a relatively young age.
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