Henry Graham (missionary)

Henry Graham (1858-1935) was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary who served in Nigeria for over 40 years. He was instrumental in establishing educational and medical institutions within the Efik and Ibibio communities of what was then Calabar Province.

Born in Perthshire, Scotland, Graham was educated at the University of Edinburgh and New College, Edinburgh. He was ordained as a minister in the United Presbyterian Church (later the United Free Church of Scotland) and in 1888 was sent to Calabar, Nigeria, by the Foreign Mission Board.

Graham dedicated his life to evangelism, education, and medical work. He founded Hope Waddell Training Institution in Calabar, a secondary school that became a leading center for education in the region. He also played a key role in the establishment of a network of primary schools and dispensaries throughout the surrounding areas. His efforts greatly improved access to education and healthcare for local populations.

Graham was known for his linguistic skills and his dedication to translating the Bible into local languages. He worked extensively on the translation of the Bible into Efik, making significant contributions to its standardization and wider availability. He also compiled dictionaries and grammars of Efik, which aided in the preservation and promotion of the language.

He retired from missionary service in 1930 and returned to Scotland, where he continued to be involved in missionary work until his death in 1935. Henry Graham's legacy is significant, remembered for his contributions to education, healthcare, and linguistic development in Nigeria, and for his tireless efforts in spreading Christianity throughout the region.