Chauncy Maples

Born at Bound's Green in 1852, he was the son of Frederick Maples, a solicitor, and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth Chauncy. He was educated at Eagle House School and Charterhouse School. Coached by James Bowling Mozley, he entered the University of Oxford at the second attempt. Maples matriculated in 1871 at University College, Oxford. In early 1874, suffering some poor health, he dropped out of his course for a time, and read with William Wolfe Capes at Liphook. In 1874 also, he encountered Edward Steere; he associated with Steere in late 1874 and early 1875, and became interested the Universities' Mission to Central Africa (UMCA). He graduated B.A. in 1875, and M.A. in 1879. After graduation he worked in Liverpool with John Eyre. He was ordained deacon, and had a curacy at St Mary Magdalen's Church, Oxford. ==African missionary==

In 1876 Maples sailed for Zanzibar for UCMA. He was ordained priest by Steere at Kiungani in September of that year. In a complex local situation, Maples supported Matola I of the Yao people, who was on good terms with the Anglican missionaries. In 1882 Steere died on Zanzibar, and Janson died on an inland mission with William Percival Johnson to reach the east side of Lake Nyasa. The Masasi mission was destroyed by a raid that year, by Ngoni people. ==Bishopric and death==

In 1895 Maples received recognition, as missionary and promoter of the UMCA. He was consecrated as Bishop of Likoma, in St Paul's Cathedral, on 29 June 1895. His predecessor Wilfrid Hornby was by title Bishop of Nyasaland. The 18 African men and boys aboard swam safely ashore, but Maples was pulled down by the weight of his cassock. ==Legacy==

In recognition of his role in East Africa, in 1901 the ship SS Chauncy Maples, the first steamship on Lake Nyasa (now Lake Malawi), was named after Maples. The ship continues to serve as a floating hospital. ==References==