Leslie, William and Clara Papers

File

Identifier: RG-1630

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1908-1964

Creator

Leslie, William H., 1868-1935 (Person)
Leslie, Clara (Clara Hill), 1868-1939 (Person)

Language of Materials

Materials in the collection are in English, French and Kongo, or possibly Bantu.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and copyright holder. Staff may refuse copying of fragile or at-risk materials.

Materials may be accessed by request at the American Baptist Historical Society. For more information on accessing collections or obtaining copies, visit http://abhsarchives.org.

Biographical / Historical

William Leslie was born in London, Ontario in 1868. After finishing his preparatory work he entered Lake Forest University from which he received a medical degree in 1893. Clara was born in Watsontown, Pennsylvania and attended the Baptist Institute for Christian Workers in Philadelphia. She married William in 1896 and they sailed for Africa, For twelve years they were identified with the work at Banza Manteke. They were transferred to the Portuguese Congo, then after about eight years they returned to Belgian Congo, where they opened Vanga station.

The Leslies retired in 1932.

The Belgian government recognized the work of the Leslies, William in 1928 with the Chevalier de L'Ordre Royal du Lion, and Clara received hers in 1932, a singular distinction for a missionary's wife at the time.