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EDITORS’ INTRODUCTION

This publication celebrates only the second occasion in the 73-year long
history of The Journal of the Society of Malaŵi (Historical and Scientific) since its
first issue in 1948 - in what was, in those far off days, the British Protectorate of
Nyasaland - that a Special Edition has been published to celebrate the life of scholar
whose profound and inclusive influence on the histography of Malawi has been
deemed such as to warrant this signal tribute.
In addition, in acknowledgement of George ‘Sam’ Shepperson’s multicultural
status – evident long before the word ‘multicultural’ became a shared word in daily
discourse – it is surely most fitting that I should share the editorship of this special
tribute with the Glasgow-based Managing Editor designate of this Journal, Dr. John
Lwanda, and in so doing neatly conjoin my late friend and mentor George
Shepperson’s Malawian, English and Scottish affiliations, affections and heritage;
conjunctions of which I know he would have greatly approved and, indeed, have
appreciated.
Fellow academics, past colleagues and old friends from across the globe have
been joined by those whose association with George Shepperson may have been
tangential, but nevertheless feel that their lives or careers have been touched in many
ways due to influences exerted by this truly multi-disciplinary scholar.
George Shepperson’s longevity, he was a venerable 98-years old when he died
has, alas, inevitably meant that a significant number of academics and scholars of
st
th
worldwide renown during the second half of the 20 and early 21 century, who
would undoubtedly have shared their appreciation, knowledge and personal
reminiscences of George and his accomplishments, have sadly pre-deceased him. That
said, historians are notoriously a doughty crowd, and it is remarkable and surely a
cause of celebration, how many of his contemporaries and former students have
displayed their continuing resilience – and long may it continue! – and generously
contributed essays and articles to this publication. These contributions not only signal
a collective mark of respect and honour to a distinguished scholar but will, surely, in
the future supply much otherwise scarce information and many leads to future
researchers and, doubtless, biographers.
At a future date it is the intention to publish this digital tribute in printed form.
Full details will be published in the Society of Malawi Journal at that time. Zikomo
kwambiri!

David Stuart-Mogg david@stuartmogg.com

John Lwanda lwanda2000@yahoo.co.uk

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Malaŵi, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.

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