Josephine Cunnington Edwards, 1954-1958

1. Letter from George Shepperson, University of Edinburgh, to Mrs Josephine Cunnington Edwards, Broadview Academy, Illinois, USA. George Shepperson introduces himself. He has heard that Mrs Edwards spent nine years with the Malamula Mission in Nyasaland and must consequently have interests similar to his. He outlines his plan for a book on the Nyasaland 1915 Rising and gives some indication of the material he has collected. News has reached him that Mrs Edwards may be planning tao write a book on the Rising, so it is possible their productions may clash. He would appreciate receiving a few details of her proposed book, so that perhaps they could achieve a division of labour. 5 May 1954.

2. Letter from Josephine Cunnington Edwards, New York, to George Shepperson. Introduces herself as 'a lecturer and a story-teller in a professional way', but as a director of a school of teacher training, besides running a home, writing has to be done on the side. She has published one book on Africa which she is willing to let George Shepperson see, another is to be published in the autumn. Outlines her plan for the next, which is nearing completion. (She speaks Cinyanja). A visit to England is planned for the following summer, and hopes to be in Scotland for some time. She has difficulty obtaining certain books. 8 September 1954.

3. George Shepperson to Mrs Edwards. He sends a copy of Livingstone's first book and promises to keep an eye open for the others she mentioned. Explains how he came to learn Cinyanja and how he became interested in the Nyasaland Uprising of 1915. In considerable detail, he outlines his plan for his book and asks if she would be prepared to leave the events of 1892-1916 to him. He would be interested to hear the name of the slave who is the subject of her book. 17 September 1954.

4. Mrs Edwards to George Shepperson. She thanks him for the book Journeys in South Africa and hopes he will enjoy the one, written for young people, that she is sending him. The man about whom she is now writing is Kalindinde Malinki, now known as Morrison Malinki. As a young boy, he remembers when Livingstone came through Tet, so he must be at least 103 years old. She has now heard the legend that Chilembwe was not shot but escaped. Would be glad to have any background to this story. Asks for a copy of the book by Joseph Booth's daughter and for photographs.

7-19. There are some personal references in this correspondence, such as the slow progress of Mrs Edward's book, her frustration that TV work takes up so much time, her accident, and the saving required for a visit to Britain – but most of the letters are devoted to an exchange of information, comments on documents, notes on people, reproduction of photographs and letters, and appreciation of the assistance each is able to give the other. 28 November 1954 – 29 July 1955.