occupation
Minister of religion
dates
Born : 21 Feb 1840 in Abingdon
(then Berks, now Oxon)
Married : Mary Abigail WILLIAMS (1844-1894)
19 May 1865, Summertown
Died : 5 Jan 1939 in Oxford
residence
Abingdon; Madagascar; Oxford
submitted by
Janet O’FLAHERTY (great-grandniece)
Background information
Revd William Edward COUSINS, born
21 February 1840, was a missionary in Madagascar (1862-1899). He married Mary Abigail WILLIAMS in 1865 in Summertown and they returned to Madagascar where William resumed his former duties and continued his work with the Malagasy language.
In 1873, he was appointed Principal Reviser for a revised version of the Malagasy Bible Society which he published in 1887/8.
He wrote many articles in Malagasy as well as books in English. Their seven children were all born in Antananarivo.
During their visits to England, he was a popular speaker at nonconformist churches. In 1895 the University of Oxford conferred the degree of M.A to William.
He died at Chalfont Street, Oxford
5 January 1939.
William Edward COUSINS
