Lanterna Rally

Author: Shuk-Ping Tse

Publisher: Open Dissertation Press

Published: 2017-01-28

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 9781374799912

This dissertation, "Peter Parker (1804-1888): a Diplomat and Medical Missionary in Nineteenth Century China" by Shuk-ping, Tse, 謝淑平, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract The earth-shaking "911" terrorist attack on the twin towers which claimed over three thousand lives in New York of the United States of America had definitely aroused the attention of the world. Noteworthy following such incident was a drastic change in Sino-American relationship on the evidence of China's ultimate entry into the World Trade Organization and President George W. Bush's approval of granting China permanent most-favored-nation treatment. As far as Sino-American relation is concerned, such distinguished historians as John King Fairbank, Paul A. Cohen, Mary C. Wright, Kenneth Scott Latourette and Dennett Tyler have contributed enormous works which occupy a unique position. Politics mingling with religion constitutes far more complicated policies adopted by both countries. American missionaries in China have proven to be influential to a different extent in terms of political, social or educational perspectives. To trace the origin of the establishment of Sino-American relations, Peter Parker (1804-1888), the first American medical missionary to China and a pioneer active in shaping American foreign policy in China, deserve our attention. However, rare treatise pertaining to Peter Parker's life or diplomatic career is to be found. The only works discovered are The Life, Letters and Journals of Peter Parker (Boston, 1896, reprinted by Scholarly Resources in 1972) by Rev. G.B.Stevens, and Edward V.Gulick's Peter Parker and the Opening of China (Harvard University Press, Mass., 1973) which was based on the former. Likewise, diplomatic literature treating of Peter Parker is in fragments and some historians made quite negative comments on him. The main purpose of this dissertation endeavors to produce a full picture of Peter Parker with a balanced account of his dual role as a diplomat and medical missionary to China. In terms of politics, it gives us a preliminary understanding of early American foreign policy in China which laid the foundation for the ongoing development of Sino-American relations in the last century. In terms of religion, Peter Parker's labors offer us an overview of the early development of medical work in China during his residence in Canton, China. This dissertation falls into two parts: Part I looks into the missionary work of Peter Parker in Canton; Part II deals with the political activities of Peter Parker. The study is focused on the span of time, in chronological orders, from 1834 to 1857, during which Peter Parker served as a medical missionary, an interpreter of the American Legation, the Charge D'Affaires and the Commissioner. DOI: 10.5353/th_b2676695 Subjects: Missions - China