Dr. Lee Iu Cheung (, 1896–1976) was a businessman and former educator in Hong Kong, and a prominent philanthropist. In addition to his 29 years' service on the board of the

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (), with a history dating back to 1870, is the oldest and largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. It provides extensive education and community services through 194 service centres spread across Hong Kong. ...

, he is best known as the creator of the Dragon Garden.

Biography

Born in Hong Kong to a migrant family from

GuangDong Province Guangdong (, ), alternatively romanized as Canton or Kwangtung, is a coastal province in South China on the north shore of the South China Sea. The capital of the province is Guangzhou. With a population of 126.01 million (as of 2020) ...

, China, Lee Iu Cheung (李耀祥) spent his childhood in

Sheung Wan Sheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District. The name can be variously interpreted as ''Upper Dist ...

district. Lee was awarded the Lugard Scholarship upon passing all his Cambridge University local examinations held in Hong Kong. He entered the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong in 1913. After graduating in 1917, he married Chan Yuet King, daughter of a director of the Tung Wah Hospital. Concerned about the floods ravaging the Guangdong Province, Lee left for Cornell University in the United States to undertake a special study on River Conservancy and Sanitary engineering in 1919. However, he was forced to abandon his studies and return to Hong Kong upon his father's death. Upon his return, Lee became a part-time lecturer in Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Hong Kong. In 1949, Lee purchased a barren hill in the New Territories from the

Government of Hong Kong The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, commonly known as the Hong Kong Government or HKSAR Government, refers to the executive authorities of Hong Kong SAR. It was formed on 1 July 1997 in accordance with the Sino-Br ...

, and spent the next 20 years planning, designing and landscaping the garden known as Dragon Garden. Dr. Lee is best known for his voluntary service "to about 50 associations and organisations aimed at improving the social and economic conditions of the Hong Kong people, especially after World War II." He joined the board of Kwong Wah Hospital in 1926, was member of the Po Leung Kuk Committee in 1929–30 and became chairman of the Tung Wah Hospital Board of Directors in 1940.Brief Information 1444 Historic Buildings
(pg 226). Dr. Lee's awards include an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by HM

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

in 1949, an

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1952, and a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1958, the latter both awarded by HM

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...

. He was also conferred a LL.D. (''honoris causa'') by his alma mater in 1969.

Biography

References

Further reading