MOCA TALKS – The Legacy of Kuang Qizhao and the Chinese Educational Mission

MOCA cordially invites you to join us for a virtual discussion with scholars Sam Wong and Evelyn Wong, who will delve into the life and legacy of Kuang Qizhao. Kuang was the first Chinese person to write a Chinese-English dictionary and served as the official translator for the Chinese Educational Mission (CEM) in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1874 to 1882. The CEM marked the first instance of the Qing government sending students abroad to learn from the United States. During his time in Hartford, Kuang interacted with a diverse array of Americans, including Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant, forming close friendships with many intellectuals in Connecticut. These relationships influenced his reform ideas, particularly the importance of Western education for China’s modernization. Join us for an insightful evening as we explore Kuang Qizhao’s contributions to both Chinese and American history and literature.