Saint John's University, Shanghai
Encyclopedia
St. John's University was an Anglican university located in Shanghai
, China
. Before the Chinese Civil War
it was regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in Shanghai
and China
. In 1952, the university was broken up
and its faculties were joined with similar faculties from other universities to create several specialist universities.
and Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, by combining two pre-existing Anglican colleges in Shanghai. Architect for the college's original quadrangle of buildings was Newark, New Jersey
architect William Halsey Wood
.
St. John's began with 39 students, and taught mainly in Chinese. In 1891 it changed to teaching with English as the main language. The courses began to focus on science and natural philosophy.
In 1905, St. John's College became St. John's University, and became registered in Washington D.C. in the U.S. It thus had the status of a domestic university in the U.S. Graduates of St John's could proceed directly to graduate school
s in the U.S. As a result, the university attracted some of the brightest and wealthiest students in Shanghai at the time. It was the first institution to grant bachelor's degree
s in China, starting in 1907.
The university was located at 188 Jessfield Road (now Wanhangdu Lu), on a bend of the Suzhou Creek
in Shanghai, and was designed to incorporate Chinese and Western architectural elements.
The university survived the Chinese Civil War. However, in 1952 the Communist
government adopted a policy of creating specialist universities in the Soviet style of the time. Under this policy, St Johns was broken up. Most of its faculties were incorporated into the East China Normal University
and Fudan University
. The medical school was incorporated into Shanghai Second Medical College, which became the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2005. The campus became the site of the East China University of Politics and Law
.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Before the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
it was regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. In 1952, the university was broken up
St. John's University (Taiwan)
St. John’s University is the successor institution of the former St. John’s University and St. Mary’s Hall in Shanghai, two well-known education institutions founded in 1879 and 1918, respectively, by Bishop John Schereschewsky of the American Episcopal Church...
and its faculties were joined with similar faculties from other universities to create several specialist universities.
History
The University was founded in 1879 as "St. John's College" by William Jones BooneWilliam Jones Boone
William Jones Boone was the first Anglican missionary bishop of Shanghai.-Life:Boone was born in Walterborough, South Carolina, graduated from the College of South Carolina in 1829 and was admitted to the bar in 1833. He then attended Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained deacon on 18...
and Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai, by combining two pre-existing Anglican colleges in Shanghai. Architect for the college's original quadrangle of buildings was Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
architect William Halsey Wood
William Halsey Wood
William Halsey Wood was an American architect, born at the Village of Dansville, New York on April 24, 1855. He died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 13, 1897.-Early life:...
.
St. John's began with 39 students, and taught mainly in Chinese. In 1891 it changed to teaching with English as the main language. The courses began to focus on science and natural philosophy.
In 1905, St. John's College became St. John's University, and became registered in Washington D.C. in the U.S. It thus had the status of a domestic university in the U.S. Graduates of St John's could proceed directly to graduate school
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
s in the U.S. As a result, the university attracted some of the brightest and wealthiest students in Shanghai at the time. It was the first institution to grant bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s in China, starting in 1907.
The university was located at 188 Jessfield Road (now Wanhangdu Lu), on a bend of the Suzhou Creek
Suzhou Creek
Suzhou Creek is a river in China that passes through the Shanghai city centre. It is named after Suzhou, a city in neighbouring Jiangsu province which was the predominant city in this area prior to the rise of Shanghai as a metropolis.One of the principal outlets of Lake Tai, Suzhou Creek has a...
in Shanghai, and was designed to incorporate Chinese and Western architectural elements.
The university survived the Chinese Civil War. However, in 1952 the Communist
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
government adopted a policy of creating specialist universities in the Soviet style of the time. Under this policy, St Johns was broken up. Most of its faculties were incorporated into the East China Normal University
East China Normal University
East China Normal University , was founded in October 1951 in western Shanghai, on the campus of Great China University. It is the first Normal University founded after the establishment of the People's Republic of China.-History:...
and Fudan University
Fudan University
Fudan University , located in Shanghai, is one of the oldest and most selective universities in China, and is a member of the C9 League. Its institutional predecessor was founded in 1905, shortly before the end of China's imperial Qing dynasty...
. The medical school was incorporated into Shanghai Second Medical College, which became the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2005. The campus became the site of the East China University of Politics and Law
East China University of Politics and Law
East China University of Political Science and Law is a public university in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, founded in 1952.-Campus:The urban campus is located on the campus of the former St. John's University...
.
Alumni.
St. John's University produced several influential figures in the early half of the 20th Century, including:- David Au, founder of the Sincere Company, the first department store in China.
- Raymond ChowRaymond ChowRaymond Chow Man-Wai is a Hong Kong film producer, and presenter and was responsible for successfully launching martial arts and the Hong Kong cinema onto the international stage...
, filmmaker. - Thomas DaoThomas DaoLing Yuan "Thomas" Dao was a Chinese American physician and specialist in breast cancer, its causes and treatment, who was one of the earliest proponents of minimalist alternatives to radical mastectomy as a treatment option for breast cancer, in addition to advocacy of breast self-examination and...
(1921–2009), physician who developed breast cancerBreast cancerBreast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
treatment alternatives. - Chung Sze YuenChung Sze YuenSir Sze-yuen Chung, GBE, GBM is a mechanical engineer, industrialist, business executive and politician in Hong Kong. He succeeded Sir Yuet Keung Kan, as the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council and Executive Council in 1980 and served in the latter body until his first retirement...
, senior Hong KongHong KongHong 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...
politician. - Francis HsuFrancis HsuFrancis Hsu Chen-Ping ; , was a Chinese clergyman. He was the third bishop, , of the Hong Kong Catholic diocese....
, former Catholic bishop of Hong Kong. - Wellington KooWellington KooKoo Vi Kyuin or Ku Wei-chün , often known by the Western name V.K. Wellington Koo, was a prominent diplomat under the Republic of China, representative to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, Ambassador to France, Great Britain, and the United States; participant in founding the League of Nations...
, diplomat, former president of the Republic of ChinaRepublic of ChinaThe Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, foreign minister, former judge and vice-president of the International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
. - Jiang ShaojiJiang ShaojiJiang Shaoji is a famous internist and gastroenterologist in China. He also holds a lifetime professorship in Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine. Jiang was elected an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994....
, a famous internist and gastroenterologist in China. - Jing ShupingJing ShupingJing Shuping was a Chinese businessman who founded the Minsheng Bank, the first privately owned bank to open in the Communist People's Republic of China, in 1996.Jing Shuping graduated from the former Saint John's University in Shanghai in 1939...
, (graduated 1939) businessman, founder of Minsheng Bank, China's first privately owned bank. Jing also founded China's first law firmLaw firmA law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
, consulting firm and accounting firm since the 1949 Chinese Revolution. - Lin YutangLin YutangLin Yutang was a Chinese writer and inventor. His informal but polished style in both Chinese and English made him one of the most influential writers of his generation, and his compilations and translations of classic Chinese texts into English were bestsellers in the West.-Youth:Lin was born in...
, writer. - Liu YichangLiu YichangLiu Yichang , in Cantonese Lau Yee Cheung, a notable writer and novelist in Hong Kong. One of his most notable stream of consciousness novellas Tête-bêche inspires Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love.- References :...
, writer. - Lu Ping, Chinese politician in charge of the handover of Hong KongHong KongHong 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...
and MacauMacauMacau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
. - I.M. Pei, architect.
- Qian LirenQian Liren-Early life:Born in 1924 in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, Qian had family origins in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, and is a documented descendant of the kings of Wuyue...
, Chinese politician and diplomat - Shi JiuyongShi JiuyongShi Jiuyong was a judge at the International Court of Justice ....
, jurist, currently President of the International Court of JusticeInternational Court of JusticeThe International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
. - T.V. Soong, politician, brother to the Soong sistersSoong sistersThe Soong Sisters were three Hakka Chinese women who were, along with their husbands, amongst China's most significant political figures of the early 20th century...
, Premier of the Republic of China. - K.H. Ting, Anglican bishop and former national leader of Protestants in the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. - Yen Chia-kanYen Chia-kanYen Chia-kan , or Yen Chia-jin , better known as C. K. Yen, succeeded Chiang Kai-shek as President of the Republic of China upon Chiang's death on April 5, 1975. He served out the remainder of Chiang's term until May 20, 1978.-Biography:C. K...
, politician, former Vice President and President of the Republic of ChinaPresident of the Republic of ChinaThe President of the Republic of China is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Republic of China . The Republic of China was founded on January 1, 1912, to govern all of China...
. - Rong YirenRong YirenRong Yiren was the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 1998 and was heavily involved with the opening of the Chinese economy to western investment. It is from this second accomplishment, that the western media called him "The Red Capitalist".-Biography:Rong was born in...
, "Red Capitalist", Vice President of the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. - Zhang BolingZhang BolingZhang Boling was the founder of Nankai University and the Nankai system of schools.-Biography:...
founder of Nankai UniversityNankai UniversityNankai University , commonly known as Nankai, is a public research university based in Tianjin on mainland China. Founded in 1919 by educators Zhang Boling and Yan Fansun , Nankai University is a member of the Nankai serial schools. It is the alma mater of former Chinese Premier and key historical...
and the Nankai system of schoolsNankai High SchoolTianjin Nankai High School is an elite college-preparatory high school in Tianjin, China. This is the original Nankai High School, and it is often referred to as Nankai High School in Tianjin to differentiate it from Chongqing Nankai Middle School, its sister school in Chongqing...
. - Zhu QichenZhu QichenZhu Qichen was educated at Saint John's University, Shanghai and entered the Chinese Foreign Service. He opened the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canberra in Australia in 1973, serving as charge d'affaires for much of his time in Canberra till 1977, when he was appointed director of...
former Vice Foreign Minister, Chinese Ambassador to the USA and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China
Administration
- Francis Lister Hawks PottFrancis Lister Hawks PottFrancis Lister Hawks Pott was an American Episcopal missionary to China. He served as President of St. John's College 1888 to 1896, and President of Saint John's University from 1896 to 1941.-Bibliography:*...
, President of St. John's College 1888 to 1896, President of St. John's University from 1896 to 1941 - William Payne RobertsWilliam Payne RobertsWilliam Payne Roberts was an American missionary to China. Roberts was consecrated in Shanghai on November 30, 1937 as "Bishop with jurisdiction in the Diocese of Kiangsu of the Chinese Holy Catholic Church ". He succeeded Frederick Rogers Graves.He attended Yale College, graduating B.A. in 1909...
, instructor and acting president in the absence of Pott