What is truly worth living and dying for? For Lilias Trotter, this question led her to consider two diverging paths. Would she turn her back on a promising future as one of the greatest artists in the Victorian era? Or embrace relative obscurity in service to her Lord? Lilias Trotter chose the latter, and it defined her legacy that—until recently—was all but lost to history.
On today’s episode of the Great Stories podcast, David Wollen is joined by Miriam Rockness—an author and historian who has devoted three decades of her life to researching this little-known artist and missionary. It’s in large part thanks to Miriam’s diligent work that we can now learn Lilias Trotter’s incredible story. When you listen today, you’ll hear how this multi-decade journey came about, as well as how Miriam learned that the best life is one that is surrendered to Christ with no reservations, caveats, or holdbacks.
More on Lilias Trotter
- For your gift to Haven Ministries, you can dig deeper into Lilias Trotter’s captivating story through the DVD Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter.
- Learn how Lilias made time for beauty during her life as an artist and missionary when you read this article (which also may inspire you to make time for beauty in your own life).
- Listen to the Haven Today series this interview originally aired on.
Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter
Discover the untold story of missionary Lilias Trotter, how she became a one of the world’s greatest women artists, and why her name was nearly lost to history.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, Many Beautiful Things introduces viewers to Lilias Trotter, a trailblazing artist and devoted follower of Christ who defied all expectations. In an era when women were often dismissed as incapable of creating high art, England’s foremost art critic, John Ruskin, declared that Lilias’s work could achieve immortality. Yet, as her artistic future hung in the balance, Lilias made a life-altering decision to follow the Lord’s calling on her life to become a missionary in North Africa.
Featuring the voices of Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) and John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), this film highlights Lilias’ faith and talent as she makes her remarkable journey to French Algeria in the late 1800s, where she encountered transcendent beauty and dedicated herself to pioneering missionary work among women and children.
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