Susannah Jane Rankin

Susannah Jane Rankin
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(s)	Robert Rankin

Susannah Jane Rankin MBE (26 November 1897 – 24 July 1989) was a Welsh Congregational minister, religious educator, linguist and translator. She spent time as a missionary in Papua New Guinea.

Early life and education

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

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 and then in 1930 moved to Saroa to unite the coastal and inland missions.[3]^:4 She taught English and studied Motu 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 years 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 till 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

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

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

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[Gruffydd-1] Gruffydd, Ioan Wyn. "RANKIN, SUSANNAH JANE". Dictionary of Welsh Biography – National Library of Wales. Retrieved 4 March 2016.

[Jones2004-2] Jones, Robert Tudur (2004). Congregationalism in Wales. University of Wales Press. p. 285. ISBN 978-0-7083-1887-4.

[PNGPC-3] "6 Territorians honored". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 3 January 1972. p. 4. Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.