15 Facts About Herbert Giles

Herbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and sinologist who was the professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge for 35 years.

Herbert Allen Giles was the fourth son of John Allen Giles, an Anglican clergyman.

Herbert Giles spent several years at Fort Santo Domingo in Tamsui, northern Taiwan.

Herbert Giles married Catherine Maria Fenn in 1870 and was the father of Bertram, Valentine, Lancelot, Edith, Mable, and Lionel Giles.

In 1897 Herbert Giles became only the second professor of Chinese language appointed at the University of Cambridge, succeeding Thomas Wade.

Herbert Giles was therefore free to spend most of his time among the ancient Chinese texts earlier donated by Wade, publishing what he chose to translate from his eclectic reading in Chinese literature.

Herbert Giles published over sixty books, lectures, pamphlets, journal articles, book reviews, and newspaper articles.

Herbert Giles published the first history of Chinese literature and art, which became a reference work.

Herbert Giles was not afraid to be controversial and outspoken on numerous topics.

Herbert Giles dedicated the third edition of Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio to his seven grandchildren, but at the end of his life was on speaking terms with only one of his surviving children.

Herbert Giles never became a Fellow at one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, despite being a university professor for 35 years.

Herbert Giles received the Prix Julien award from the French Academy in 1897 for his Chinese Biographical Dictionary.

Between one third and a half of the dates are wrong because Herbert Giles supposed that if somebody is recorded as having died in 1200 aged 63 he or she must have been born in 1137.

Herbert Giles ran afoul of the Chinese scholar Ku Hung-ming, who declared.

Dr Herbert Giles' Chinese biographical dictionary, it must be admitted, is a work of immense labour.