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Correspondence: George Shepperson with Orton and Vera Chirwa, 1952-1971

 File — Box: CLX-A-23
Identifier: Coll-490/21/3

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence: George Shepperson with Orton and Vera Chirwa.

  1. Letter from Orton Chirwa to George Shepperson. He thanks Mr Shepperson for the monograph on John Chilembwe and assures him that he is doing his best to gather more material. Names some who may help their research and complete the picture from the African viewpoint. Gives an unfavourable description of the European settler of 1910. Chirwa pleads for support against the recent plan for Federation. It may look good to people who do not know the situation, but the Nyasalander sees it as designed to oppress them. Jeanes Training Centre, Nyasaland, 30 June 1952.
  2. George Shepperson thanks Mr Chirwa for his most interesting letter. He now has three photographs of Chilembwe. Asks Chirwa to follow up the story of Chilembwe's relations with the Angoni tribe, as he is anxious to see how it fits with other hearsay evidence. He considers The Statesman and The Observer to be very good indeed on Federation and enclosed an interesting letter. Edinburgh, 13 July 1952.
  3. Article: "John Chilembwe as I knew him". By Maynard Gibson Mbela, 4 August 1952.
  4. Statement from Africans at Magomero who witnessed the Chilembwe Rising. Interviewed by Mr Stevenson L. Kamakanga, former teacher at Jeanes Training Centre, Domasi, Nyasaland.
  5. Covering letter from Orton Chirwa, together with statement from Mbela. Jeanes Training Centre, Domasi, Nyasaland, 6 August 1952.
  6. George Shepperson to Orton Chirwa. He understands that Mrs Chirwa might come to Edinburgh to do a nursing course. He requires all particulars in order to advise and help her. Asks the recipient to find out more about local Chilembwe legends. He has much more material now, especially on his American education. Edinburgh, 17 January 1953 [This should be 1954. Letter is an answer to No 7].
  7. Orton Chirwa to George Shepperson. He has thoroughly enjoyed This Africa is Mine. Mentions some Chilembwe legends. Asks about the minimum qualifications required for entering a nursing course. Mrs Chirwa is thinking of coming to Edinburgh. Jeanes Training Centre, Domasi, Nyasaland, 5 January 1954.
  8. Orton Chirwa sends the news that he has passed his Bar Final Examination. London, 31 October 1957.
  9. Orton Chirwa to George Shepperson. He must wait three months before he can take out a licence as a legal practitioner. Describes the tumultuous welcome given to Dr Banda. Zamba, Nyasaland, 21 July 1958.
  10. Letter from George Shepperson, congratulating Orton on his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary. He is sorry that Mrs Shepperson's illness had prevented him calling upon him before he left for Nyasaland.. Edinburgh, 7 September 1961.
  11. Letter from Mrs Chirwa to Professor Shepperson. She would like to come and stay with Professor and Mrs Shepperson for a few days. London, 21 October 1966.
  12. Ronalis Chirwa to Professor Shepperson. Introduces herself as daughter of O. E. Chirwa. She is in Edinburgh doing her nursing training. Carlton House, Edinburgh, 8 September 1967.
  13. Orton wishes to do research in some branch of Law. He asks Professor Shepperson to support his suitability. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 26 September 1968.
  14. He is now studying International Law in London and asks George Shepperson to suggest a subject for his thesis. Lillian Penson Hall, London, 15 December 1969.
  15. Orton appeals to George Shepperson to support his application for a studentship at St Antony's College, Oxford. He wishes to do research in International Law aspects of certain African institutions London, 10 January 1970.
  16. Notes (CV) C. E. C. Chirwa. 8 January 1970.
  17. George Shepperson is sending his recommendation of Orton Chirwa to St Antony's College immediately. Edinburgh, 12 January 1970.
  18. Recommendation. 12 January 1970.
  19. Orton thanks George Shepperson for writing to St Antony's. He is hopeful, but if nothing materialises, he will stay on in London. Meantime, he may go to Dar es Salaam. He is the External Examiner in the E. A.University in Land Law, Company and Mercantile Law. Expects to return mid-April. London, 20 February 1970.
  20. Orton to George Shepperson Tanzania had tightened up its Exchange Control Regulations and it had become impossible to get money through to London, so he had to leave London in October 1970. He opened a legal practice in Dar es Salaam but in July was offered a law lectureship at the University. Vera continues to work for the Attorney General here. 'She has made a name for herself as a formidable criminal lawyer'. Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 10 January 1971.
  21. -23. 3 cards.

Trial.

24. Letter from Crispin D. Chindongo to H. E. Ngwazi Dr Kamuzu H. Banda relating to Orton Chirwa. 8 March 1982.
25. Malawi: Trial of Orton and Vera Chirwa. Judgement in the Southern Regional Traditional Court at Soche, Blantyre. 5 May 1983.
26. Malawi: Trial of Orton and Vera Chirwa. Judgement in the National Traditional Appeal Court at Soche, Blantyre. 7 February 1984.
27. Amnesty International. Court document shows Chirwas were denied a fair trial. 19 December 1984.
28. Amnesty International. Malawi: The Case of Orton and Vera Chirwa (30 June 1984. Death sentences commuted to life imprisonment). 19 December 1984. 29. UN Appeal – 15 February 1984.
30. American Bar Association. Information material on Chirwa case. 3 June 1983.
31. American Bar Association. Latest on case of Orton, Vera and Fumbani Chirwa. February 1984.

Dates

  • Creation: 1952-1971

Creator

Language of Materials

English

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1 folder

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