Edward Steere (1828 - 26 August 1882) was an English Anglican colonial bishop in the 19th century.
Life Steere was educated at London University and ordained in 1850.The Times, Tuesday, Aug 29, 1882; pg. 6; Issue 30598; col D Obituary After curacies in Devon and Lincolnshire, he joined William Tozer (Bishop in Central Africa) on a mission to Nyasaland in 1863.Heanley, R. M. A Memoir of Edward Steere, D.D. Ll.D., Third Missionary Bishop in Central Africa. (see External links). He was appointed Bishop in Central Africa in 1874 and died on 26 August 1882.The Times, Tuesday, Sep 19, 1882; pg. 4; Issue 30616; col F Bishop Steere And His Work
Steere spent several periods in Zanzibar, 1864–68, 1872–74, and 1877–82. In 1873 he placed the foundation stone at Christ Church, Zanzibar, in Stone Town, Zanzibar. The cathedral was based on his vision; its concrete roof shaped in a barrel vault was Steere's idea. He also worked with David Livingstone to abolish slavery in Zanzibar. He is buried behind the altar in the church.'Workers at the church' David Livingstone's aides James Chuma and Abdullah Susi were part of an expedition led by Steere. Chuma was captain of the expedition and both men acted as interpreters.
Works Steere was a considerable linguist and published works on several East African languages and dialects, including Shambala, Yao, Nyamwezi, and Makonde. But he is especially known for his work on Swahili, publishing a Handbook of Swahili in 1870, and he also translated or revised the translation into Swahili of a large part of the Bible.
Notes
See also
Annie Allen (missionary)
References
Steere was never Bishop of Grahamstown
External links
Robert Marshall Heanley (1898) A Memoir of Edward Steere, D.D., LL.D., Office of the Universities' Mission to Central Africa, London (Google ebook)
Steere's A Handbook of the Swahili Language as spoken at Zanzibar original 1870 edition. Steere's A Handbook of the Swahili Language as spoken at Zanzibar revised by A.C. Madan 1894.