upcoming Events

Prof. Wendell McConnaha at The John Rae Society – Live on BBC Radio 6
Date: Monday, 16 September 2025
Location: St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall

The John Rae Society was delighted to welcome American author and historian Prof. Wendell McConnaha to Orkney for a special event broadcast live on BBC Radio 6.

Prof. McConnaha delivered an engaging talk on his new book, Losing Sight of the Shore — a compelling history that explores the lives of five pioneering medical explorers, including Dr. John Rae. His discussion illuminated how their discoveries and philosophies helped shape the British Imperial Century, offering fresh insight into the scientific and moral frontiers of exploration.

On September 22, 2022, at 1 p.m., Professor Wendell McConnaha led an online seminar as part of the INS Public Seminar Series, titled "How Edinburgh Doctors Led the British Imperial Century." McConnaha explored how, despite Scotland's smaller population compared to England, over half of the British explorers during the British Imperial Century (1815-1915) were Scottish.

On Tuesday, 19th April 2022, McConnaha was a guest on BBC Radio's Around Orkney, joining Helen and Huw for an interview. Together, they discussed their work in telling the story of an Orcadian who is still remembered as a hero in West Africa.

Wendell McConnaha signed and discussed his book *The King of Lokoja: William Balfour Baikie, the Forgotten Man of Africa* at The Francie & Finch Bookshop