John Paton

John Gibson Paton (1824-1907) was a Scottish Protestant missionary who served in the New Hebrides Islands of the South Pacific, bringing Christianity, education, and small industries like hat-making to the native population while campaigning against blackbirding slavery. Born into a Christian family near Dumfries, he worked as a city missionary in Glasgow's slums before volunteering for dangerous mission work among cannibals. He authored a detailed autobiography recounting his faith, trials, family life, and successes in translating the Bible and establishing missions.