Lee Iu-cheung
Encyclopedia
Dr. Lee Iu Cheung J.P., M.B.E., O.B.E., C.B.E was a businessman and former educator in Hong Kong, and a prominent philanthropist. In addition to his 29 years' service on the board of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
, he is best known as the creator of the Dragon Garden
.
to a migrant family from GuangDong Province
, China, Lee Iu Cheung (李耀祥) spent his childhood in Sheung Wan
district. Lee was awarded the Lugard Scholarship upon passing all his Cambridge University
local examinations held in Hong Kong. He entered the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong in 1913. After graduating in 1917, he married Chan Yuet King, daughter of a director of the Tung Wah Hospital. Concerned about the floods ravaging the Guangdong Province, Lee left for Cornell University
in the United States
to undertake a special study on River Conservancy and Sanitary engineering
in 1919. However, he was forced to abandon his studies and return to Hong Kong upon his father's death. Upon his return, Lee became a part-time lecturer in Hydraulic Engineering
at the University of Hong Kong.
In 1949, Lee purchased a barren hill in the New Territories
from the Government of Hong Kong
, and spent the next 20 years planning, designing and landscaping the garden known as Dragon Garden.
Dr. Lee is best known for his voluntary service "to about 50 associations and organisations aimed at improving the social and economic conditions of the Hong Kong
people, especially after World War II
." He joined the board of Kwong Wah Hospital
in 1926, was member of the Po Leung Kuk
Committee in 1929-30 and became chairman of the Tung Wah Hospital Board of Directors in 1940.
Dr. Lee's awards include an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HM King George VI in 1949, an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1952 and a C.B.E (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1958, the latter both awarded by HM Queen Elizabeth II. He was also conferred a LL.D. (honoris causa) by his alma mater
in 1969.
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals , with a long history from 1870, is the oldest and the largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. Their education Services and Community Services to the community with a total of 194 service centres spreading over the territory of Hong Kong.Although it appears a...
, he is best known as the creator of the Dragon Garden
Hong Kong Dragon Garden
The Hong Kong Dragon Garden is an 8-hectare private heritage garden located at No. 32-42 Castle Peak Road, Tsing Lung Tau, in the backdrop of Sham Tseng in the east of Tuen Mun District in the New Territories of Hong Kong, founded by Lee Iu-cheung....
.
Biography
Born in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
to a migrant family from GuangDong Province
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, China, Lee Iu Cheung (李耀祥) spent his childhood in Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District...
district. Lee was awarded the Lugard Scholarship upon passing all his Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
local examinations held in Hong Kong. He entered the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong in 1913. After graduating in 1917, he married Chan Yuet King, daughter of a director of the Tung Wah Hospital. Concerned about the floods ravaging the Guangdong Province, Lee left for Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to undertake a special study on River Conservancy and Sanitary engineering
Sanitary engineering
Sanitary engineering is the application of engineering methods to improve sanitation of human communities, primarily by providing the removal and disposal of human waste, and in addition to the supply of safe potable water. Initially in the mid 19th century, the discipline concentrated on the...
in 1919. However, he was forced to abandon his studies and return to Hong Kong upon his father's death. Upon his return, Lee became a part-time lecturer in Hydraulic Engineering
Hydraulic engineering
This article is about civil engineering. For the mechanical engineering discipline see Hydraulic machineryHydraulic engineering as a sub-discipline of civil engineering is concerned with the flow and conveyance of fluids, principally water and sewage. One feature of these systems is the extensive...
at the University of Hong Kong.
In 1949, Lee purchased a barren hill in the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
from the Government of Hong Kong
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
, and spent the next 20 years planning, designing and landscaping the garden known as Dragon Garden.
Dr. Lee is best known for his voluntary service "to about 50 associations and organisations aimed at improving the social and economic conditions of the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
people, especially after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
." He joined the board of Kwong Wah Hospital
Kwong Wah Hospital
Kwong Wah Hospital is a major hospital in South Kowloon of Hong Kong. It is located at Waterloo Road in Yau Ma Tei.The former Main Hall Building of Kwong Wah Hospital is preserved and houses the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Museum.-History:...
in 1926, was member of the Po Leung Kuk
Po Leung Kuk
The Po Leung Kuk is a charitable organisation in Hong Kong that provides support for orphaned children, education and other services.-Founding of Po Leung Kuk:...
Committee in 1929-30 and became chairman of the Tung Wah Hospital Board of Directors in 1940.
Dr. Lee's awards include an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HM King George VI in 1949, an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1952 and a C.B.E (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1958, the latter both awarded by HM Queen Elizabeth II. He was also conferred a LL.D. (honoris causa) by his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
in 1969.