Harris, William Wadé (c. 1865–1929)

Liberian Christian evangelist. Using healing and dramatic symbolism, he converted over 120,000 people in Côte d'Ivoire to Christianity in the space of a few years.

Born in Liberia, Harris was educated by American Methodist missionaries and then joined the Episcopal Church. He led a fairly conventional life until 1910 when, either in prison or while attending a traditional ceremony, he had a conversion experience which led him to launch one of the most dramatic evangelistic campaigns ever. He was expelled from the Ivory Coast by the French authorities 1915 and died in poverty in Liberia. His followers founded a number of the independent churches which still flourish today.