Robert Moffat (1795-1883) was a Scottish Congregationalist missionary to Africa. He was born to a poor family and spent his early years working as an estate gardener. In 1814 he sought a commission from the London Missionary Society and was sent within a year to South Africa. He settled in Cape Town and in 1819 married Mary Smith (1795-1870), the daughter of a former employer. In 1820 the couple left Cape Town and settled among the tribes west of the Vaal River. Here he translated the entire Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress into the native language. He was a great influence on his son-in-law, David Livingstone, and encouraged him in his desire to take the Gospel deeper into uncharted Africa. He retired to England after the death of his wife and spent the rest of his life writing and preaching. He laid the foundation for the success of subsequent mission work in southern and central Africa and persevered in his work despite many setbacks.
