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
University College London (Trade name, branded as UCL) is a Public university, public research university in London, England. It is a Member institutions of the University of London, member institution of the Federal university, federal Uni ...
, 1837–1842. However the position was not renewed, and while the matter was still under discussion, Kidd died.
A new position, now held by
King's College, 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
University College London (Trade name, branded as UCL) is a Public university, public research university in London, England. It is a Member institutions of the University of London, member institution of the Federal university, federal Uni ...
, with a donation from the China Association.
In 1916 the position was moved to the newly created
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS University of London; ) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the federal University of London. Founded in 1916, SOAS is located in the Bloomsbury area ...
. Scholars to have held the position include
Denis Twitchett
Denis Crispin Twitchett (23 September 192524 February 2006) was a British Sinologist and historian, and is well known as one of the co-editors of '' The Cambridge History of China''.
Biography
Denis Twitchett was born on 23 September 1925 in Lon ...
(1960–68),
D. C. Lau
D. C. Lau (; 8 March 192126 April 2010) was a Chinese sinologist and author of the widely read translations of ''Tao Te Ching'', Mencius and ''The Analects'' and contributed to the Proper Cantonese pronunciation movement.
D. C. Lau studied Chi ...
(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