Custodian: University of Glasgow Library Research Annexe

Reference: Library Research Annexe T14-f.16

Nineteen years in Polynesia: missionary life, travels, and researches in the islands of the Pacific was written by University of Glasgow alumnus George Turner (1818–91) and published in 1861 by John Snow in London.

In this and a second book, Samoa: A Hundred Years ago and Long Before(1884), Turner discussed topics ranging from religion, government and war to ageing, food and clothing, based on his more than 45 years of experience as a missionary in Polynesia. He lived for the majority of this time on the Samoan island of Upolu.

As well as recording Samoan customs, Turner and his fellow alumnus and missionary, Henry Nisbet (1818–76) [link to Int Story], also described the languages of the indigenous people of Samoa and published works in Samoan dialect.

Turner's work was the first extensive study on the indigenous people of Samoa and became the standard authority on the subject.