Cameron, James

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0102 MS 380685
Held at	: School of Oriental and African Studies   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.soas.ac.uk/Archives/home.html ›
Full title	: Cameron, James
Date(s)	: 1822-1832
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 1 folder
Name of creator(s)	: Cameron | James | 1800-1875 | artisan and missionary

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

James Cameron was born on 6 January 1800 at Little Dunkeld in Perthshire. In May 1826 he sailed to Madagascar with the London Missionary Society. Once in Madagascar he helped to set up cotton machinery at Amparibe, in getting the printing press into action, and in other public work. The continuation of the mission from 1829 to 1835 was largely due to the desire of the government to retain the services of Mr. Cameron and other artisans. He taught the Malagasy how to make soap, a circumstance that had an important influence in prolonging missionary work in Madagascar. In consequence of the edict against Christianity, he left the capital in June 1835, and proceeded to Cape Town with his wife. There he established himself in business and became Surveyor to the Corporation of Cape Town. In 1853 he was appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius to negotiate with the Malagasy Government for the renewal of trade. In 1863 he returned to Madagascar to superintend the erection of the Memorial Churches. Arriving at Antananarivo, he aided in the erection of the Memorial Church at Ambatonakanga, and built the Children's Church at Faravohitra, and up to the time of his death was engaged in building work both for the mission and for the Government. He died on 3 October 1875.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Photocopies of letters from James Cameron to his mother and sister (1822-1832).

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

The letters are arranged in chronological order.

Conditions governing access:

Unrestricted.

Conditions governing reproduction:

No publication without written permission. Apply to archivist in the first instance.

Finding aids:

Unpublished handlist.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Donated in 1998.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The School of Oriental and African Studies holds the records of the London Missionary Society (Ref: CWM/LMS) and papers of James Trenchard Hardyman relating to missionary work in Madagascar (Ref: PP MS 63).

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:

Date(s) of descriptions:
15 May 2000