Herbert Allen Giles

Herbert Allen Giles (1845–1935) was a distinguished British diplomat and scholar of Chinese language and culture. He served in Qing China for many years, holding various consular positions before dedicating his career to academia. At the University of Cambridge, he held the Professorship of Chinese for three and a half decades, succeeding Thomas Wade. During his tenure, he significantly contributed to the study of Chinese in the West, developing the widely recognized Wade-Giles system for romanizing Mandarin Chinese. Giles was a prolific writer, producing numerous books, articles, and lectures, including influential translations of foundational Chinese texts.

Giles's scholarly output encompassed a broad range of Chinese literature and history. His works included translations of Confucian Analects, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, and Chuang Tzu, alongside a comprehensive Chinese-English Dictionary that became a standard reference. He also authored the first history of Chinese literature and art, which similarly served as a key resource. Despite a reputation for being outspoken and sometimes controversial in his critiques of fellow scholars and societal issues, he was also remembered for his personal charm. His academic contributions were recognized with awards, including the Triennial Gold Medal from the Royal Asiatic Society.

Herbert Allen Giles made substantial contributions to the field of Sinology, particularly through his extensive translations of classical Chinese texts. He is perhaps most renowned for his modification and popularization of the Wade-Giles romanization system, which became a standard for transliterating Mandarin Chinese for many years. His translations of key philosophical and literary works, such as the Analects of Confucius, the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, and the writings of Chuang Tzu, brought these influential texts to a wider Western audience. Giles's dedication to scholarship is evident in his monumental Chinese-English Dictionary, a project that spanned over fifteen years and became an essential reference tool. He also pioneered the first comprehensive history of Chinese literature and art, further solidifying his legacy as a foundational figure in the Western understanding of Chinese culture.

Following his diplomatic career in China, Herbert Allen Giles became the second Professor of Chinese at the University of Cambridge, a position he held for 35 years. In this role, he was instrumental in developing the Chinese studies program, working extensively with the collection of Chinese texts previously donated by Thomas Wade. Giles was exceptionally prolific, publishing over sixty works across various formats, including books, lectures, articles, and reviews. His scholarly pursuits were not limited to translation; he also produced historical and introductory texts on Chinese culture, religion, and art. Despite his significant academic achievements, he never became a fellow of a Cambridge college. He was recognized for his work with honors such as the Prix Julien from the French Academy and the Gold medal of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Herbert Allen Giles was married twice and had several children, though his later years were marked by strained relationships with some family members. He was known for his outspoken nature, not hesitating to criticize the work of other scholars, including prominent figures like E. H. Parker, Sir Walter Hillier, and even his predecessor, Thomas Wade. Giles also voiced strong opinions on social issues, particularly regarding the treatment of Chinese emigrants on British ships. Despite this reputation for being abrasive, accounts suggest he possessed considerable personal charm and was approachable to people from all walks of life. An agnostic and a freemason, Giles's intellectual independence was a defining characteristic throughout his long life.

“Most of his enemies were people whose work he had criticized.”

“Notwithstanding his reputation for abrasiveness, he would speak to anyone in the street from the Vice-Chancellor to a crossing-sweeper and was remembered by acquaintances as a man of great personal charm.”

“In all those 38 years not a syllable came from my pen which was not examined by her and approved before publication.”

“If he were asked to formulate in a sentence the special mark and merit of Professor Giles's lifelong labours, he would say that beyond all other living scholars he had humanized Chinese studies. He had by his writings made more readers know more things about China, things that were material, things that were vital – he had diffused a better and a truer understanding of Chinese intellect, its capabilities and achievements, than any other scholar.”