The Measure of a Man: The Life of William Ambrose Shedd, Missionary to Persia

William A. Shedd was born in Urmia in 1865. His parents, John and Sarah Shedd, were members of the American Mission to the Assyrians since 1859. After completing his education in the United States, William joined the Mission in Persia in 1892. He became head of the mission in 1904. This biography, written by his wife, provides detailed first hand accounts of the heroic efforts on the part of Shedd and others to save the lives of Assyrians during the massacres of 1915 and to help them defend themselves against their enemies during the tragic events leading to their exodus from Urmia in 1918. Particularly important and moving is the account of that exodus in which so many Assyrians lost their lives. Shedd proved himself to be a true friend of the Assyrians by choosing to accompany them on their flight and share in their sufferings. He died from Cholera on the way at Sain Kala in 1918.