Peter Mackenzie: His Life & Labours
By The Rev. Joseph Dawson
Published by Charles H. Kelly: London 1896 5th Edition
"Peter Mackenzie: His Life & Labours is the substantial Victorian biography of Peter Mackenzie (1824-1895), the celebrated Scottish-born Wesleyan Methodist minister and preacher. Written by the Rev. Joseph Dawson shortly after Mackenzie's death, it traces his remarkable progress from a poorly schooled childhood at Glen Shee, through employment as a farm labourer, dairy worker and Durham miner, to his conversion, theological training at Didsbury College and eventual prominence within British Methodism.
Drawing upon Mackenzie's autobiographical fragments, correspondence and recollections supplied by friends and colleagues, Dawson presents a detailed account of his ministry, extensive travels and exceptional reputation as an energetic and engaging public speaker. Mackenzie became particularly admired for combining evangelical conviction with humour, vivid storytelling and an ability to connect with working people, making this both a personal biography and an informative record of nineteenth-century Wesleyan religious life.
Published in London by Charles H. Kelly in 1896, this is the Fifth Edition—its appearance within the year of first publication reflecting the biography's immediate popularity. The volume is illustrated with a photographic portrait frontispiece bearing a facsimile signature, together with further photographic plates depicting places associated with Mackenzie's life, including Spittal at Glen Shee. It is presented in its original brown cloth bindings with gilt titles and decoration to the front board and spine."
