PAYNE, Ernest Alexander. Upper Clapton, London 16.2.1902 — 14.1.1980. British Missionary and Baptist Leader. Son of Alexander W. Payne and Mary C. Griffiths. Studied at King’s College, London (B.A. 1921). Intending to become missionary he then studied at Regent’s Park College (1922-25), Mansfield College of Oxford (B.D. 1927, M.A. 1944) and Marburg Uni­versity (1927-28). Ordained priest 1928. Family circumstances prevented him from going to India and he became Baptist minister in England. From 1932 in administration of the Baptist Church. In 1940-51 taught at Regent’s Park College, now in Oxford. In 1951-67 General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. A committed ecumenist. D.D. 1951 St.Andrews, hon. D.Laws 1960 McMaster. Married 1930 Winifred Davies.

Publications: The Śāktas. An Introductory and Comparative Study. 153 p. Oxford & Calcutta 1933.

– Harry Wyatt of Shansi, 1895-1938. L. 1939; South-East from Serampore: More Chapters in the Story of the Baptist Missionary Society. 92 p. L. 1945.

– Many works on religion and the history of Baptism.

Sources: *M.S. West, To be a pilgrim: a memoir of Ernest A. Payne. 1983; Wikipedia briefly with photo; www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/n-o-p-q/payne-ernest-alexander-1902-1980/; prabook.com.