The Professor of Chinese is the oldest
endowed position in Chinese in the United Kingdom. The first professor of Chinese at the University of London was held by
Samuel Kidd at the
University College London, 1837-1842. However the position was not renewed, and while the matter was still under discussion, Professor Kidd died.
A new position, now held by
Kings College position was endowed in 1845 by, or at least through the good offices of,
Sir George Staunton.
[Denis Twitchett, 1962, ''Land Tenure and the Social Order in T'ang and Sung China'' London: School of Oriental and African Studies.]
In 1904 this position was merged with a chair of Chinese subsequently endowed at
University College London, with a donation from the China Association.
In 1916 the position was moved to the newly created
School of Oriental and African Studies. Scholars to have held the position include
Denis Twitchett (1960–68),
D. C. Lau
D. C. Lau (; 6 March 192126 April 2010) was a Chinese sinology, sinologist and author of the widely read translations of Daodejing, Tao Te Ching, Mencius and The Analects and contributed to the Proper Cantonese pronunciation movement.
D. C. Lau ...
(1970-1978), David Pollard
(1979-1989), Hugh Baker (1990-2002), and
Michel Hockx (2002-2016).
[{{Cite web, url=http://news.nd.edu/news/michel-hockx-scholar-of-chinese-literary-and-internet-culture-appointed-director-of-liu-institute-for-asia-and-asian-studies/, title = Michel Hockx, scholar of Chinese literary and Internet culture, appointed director of Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies]
References
University of London