Francis John Harpur

Harpur began his work as a medical missionary through a mission in Arabia. In 1885, Harpur began aiding mission leaders, providing insight and support, and administering medicine in the city of Hodeida in Yemen. One year later in 1886, Harpur carried out similar responsibilities in Aden.[5]

Harpur began to establish his most prominent medical work upon his arrival to Old Cairo in 1889. With the help of Llewellyn Gwynne, Harpur established hospitals and clinics in Egypt.[6] Cities and villages in which Harpur traveled included Shubra, El Salheya, and Benha.[7] Harpur’s work consisted of orchestrating medical support clinics, aiding government dispensaries, and teaching lessons of Christianity and the Bible to local residents.[5] Throughout his time on the mission, Harpur observed an increase in hospital and dispensary attendance.[7]

Missionaries at Rev. Douglas M. Thornton's wedding in 1889 Cairo (Harpur pictured in left-center third row)

Harpur’s work was seen as highly evangelical. Harpur was the president of the building committee dedicated to constructing the church in Old Cairo. He was commonly known as a “zealous man of god” who spread his passion as an Evangelist.[5] Harpur had pride for his wife Edith who played harmonium in the church and taught the community hymns. Harpur gave daily Bible lessons to his son Nour and provided various communities with printed copies of prayer in the local language. In addition, Harpur conducted evangelistic meetings for young men.[5]

In 1892, Harpur resigned from his missionary duties on account of his wife’s health. On March 1, 1892, he traveled to England with Mrs. Harpur to support her recovery, and returned to Egypt in October 1893 to resume charge of the medical mission in Old Cairo.[5] Between 1893 and 1900, Harpur traveled to and from England. His work during this period consisted of the construction of schools and medical clinics. He established, with Gwynne, mission stations and schools in North Sudan at Omdurman in 1899 and Khartoum in 1900.[8]

In 1904, Harpur initiated and led the Nile Itinerancy Mission. His desire to conduct this mission stemmed from the greater need for medical care outside of Old Cairo, particularly in smaller, less developed villages along the Nile.[7]

Harpur bought a sailboat, known in Egypt as a dahabiya.[5] He equipped the dahabiya with medical supplies and tents. Harpur sailed along the Nile to various villages, setting up tent hospitals and providing medical help.[7] Once on land, Harpur would travel to neighboring communities by donkey in order to treat as many patients as possible. He treated patients for endemic diseases, eye disease, and other medical issues. Additionally, Harpur led Bible classes in the evenings. Uniquely, Harpur was not subsidized by governments to build and run his hospitals on the Nile, and they were supported by his Christian staff.[5]

One of Harpur’s tent hospitals survives today. During his journey along the Nile, Harpur provided medical care along a small canal near the village of El Bagour in the Province of Monufia. There, Sheikh Bassiouni el Saidi pleaded to Harpur to open a permanent hospital. In 1910, Harpur agreed and established the first hospital in Menouf.[5] The hospital is now known as the Harpur Memorial Hospital. It operates successfully and has recently celebrated its 110th Anniversary.[9]