Ann (Annie) Hunter Small
1857-1945
Missionary and Educator
Born in Redding, near Falkirk, Annie's early years were spent in Poona, India where her family were missionaries. Annie herself embarked on a life of missionary work in the region from 1876 to 1892. She developed a passionate love of and deep respect for its people, culture and languages which would lead to her becoming critical of British Imperialism and its smothering effect on Indian culture.
Ill-health forced a return to Scotland, where she settled in Edinburgh; reading, writing, teaching pupils in Indian languages and travelling extensively. Her progressive ideals led to her becoming disillusioned with church conventions which failed to acknowledge the contribution of women to church life. A committed Presbyterian, Annie's vision for new Christian paradigms and inter-faith dialogue encompassed a more democratic structure, with a strong community dynamic and women's roles given their rightful place.
In 1894, Annie became the first Principal of the Women's Missionary Training Institute of the Free Church of Scotland (later St Colm's Women's Missionary College) which opened in Edinburgh. Founded by the Women's Foreign Mission Committee, the Institute's purpose was to provide a formal period of specialised training for women prior to overseas engagements. Under Annie's guidance, students' personal development and a strong community dynamic were paramount. This forward thinking ethos attracted students from many denominations and countries. In 1910 Annie played a key role in the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference, where she brought her considerable experience in missionary training to bear.
She retired from the college in 1913 and continued to enjoy a wide range of interests which included the Arts and Crafts movement, Celtic spirituality and the writings of Julian of Norwich.
She died in an Edinburgh nursing home and according to her wishes her ashes were buried in the family grave at Arbroath Abbey.
Kate Neilson
Sources:
Wyon, Olive. The Three Windows:The story of Ann Hunter Small. London: James Clarke & Co (1953)
Ewan, E., Innes, S., Reynolds, S. (eds.). The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women. EUP 2006
Lusk, I. Small, Ann Hunter (1857-1945) in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. OUP 2004.
Macdonald, L.A.O. A Unique and Glorious Mission. John Donald Pub. Ltd. 2000
