Passion or Profession: Revolt leader

Period: c. 1860–1915

Born in the Blantyre area, Chilembwe worked for an American missionary in what was then Nyasaland. Chilembwe studied theology in the United States and returned to Nyasaland to found a mission in 1900. To protest Britain's conscription of local soldiers and poor working conditions on farm estates, Chilembwe led an uprising against one of the estates. He was killed by police and is today regarded as the first martyr for Malawi's eventual freedom.