Difference between revisions of "Horace G. Underwood" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | Horace Grant Underwood (July 19, 1859 – 1916), one of the earliest Protestant missionaries sent to Korea by the American Presbyterian Mission Board, arrived in the country in 1885, just a few years after the | + | Horace Grant Underwood (July 19, 1859 – October 12, 1916), one of the earliest Protestant missionaries sent to Korea by the American Presbyterian Mission Board, arrived in the country in 1885, just a few years after the 1882 ''Treaty of Amity and Trade'' between Korea and the United States, which promised protection for missionaries working in Korea. During his 31 years of ministry, working primarily as an educator, Underwood published one of the earliest Korean-English dictionaries ever written, and devoted a great deal of time and energy to educational ventures, including a founding role in the college that later grew into Yonsei University, one of Korea’s top educational institutions today. |
==Early years== | ==Early years== | ||
| − | Horace Underwood was born in London, and immigrated with his family to the United States when he was 13. He graduated from New York University in 1881, and then attended the Dutch Reformed Theological Seminary, | + | Horace Underwood was born in London, and immigrated with his family to the United States when he was 13. He graduated from New York University in 1881, and then attended the Dutch Reformed Theological Seminary, during which time he felt a calling to become a missionary. Expecting he would be sent to India, where mission activity was very strong in the mid-19th century, he studied medicine for one year in preparation. When the Mission Board sent him out in December 1884, they decided, instead of India, to send him to a new mission territory, the little-known kingdom of Korea. |
==Arrival in Korea== | ==Arrival in Korea== | ||
| − | When he arrived in the waters near Korea, the country was in a state of unrest and he had to wait a few months in Japan. He made use of his time in Japan in further missionary training, and | + | When he arrived in the waters near Korea, the country was in a state of unrest and he had to wait a few months in Japan. He made use of his time in Japan in further missionary training, and learning the Korean language, studying with a Korean Christian named Lee Sujung who was living in Yokohama. Before leaving for Korea he received a copy of Lee's translation of the Gospel of Mark. Finally, in April 1885, Underwood arrived in his mission country. |
==Creating educational opportunities== | ==Creating educational opportunities== | ||
| − | About a year after arriving, he formed an orphanage, which eventually became Gyeongsin High School | + | About a year after arriving, he formed an orphanage, which eventually became Gyeongsin High School, one of the earliest schools offering educational opportunities for Korea’s commoners; in 19th-century Korea education was only available for the upper classes. In 1887, he established the Saemoonan Church in Seoul, starting with 14 members, many of them converted by Soh Sangyun, a local Korean convert who had been baptized by American missionary John Ross in Manchuria before protestant mission work began in Korea. |
Very concerned about the need for good education for the Korean people, as the mission work expanded he created elementary schools in each new district. He also set to work refining the Korean translation of the Gospel of Mark that he had received from Lee Sujung. From 1887, he served on a board of Bible translators along with Henry G. Appenzeller and others; together the board completed a Korean translation of the New Testament by 1900. He published his first Korea/English and English/Korean dictionaries in 1890. | Very concerned about the need for good education for the Korean people, as the mission work expanded he created elementary schools in each new district. He also set to work refining the Korean translation of the Gospel of Mark that he had received from Lee Sujung. From 1887, he served on a board of Bible translators along with Henry G. Appenzeller and others; together the board completed a Korean translation of the New Testament by 1900. He published his first Korea/English and English/Korean dictionaries in 1890. | ||
==Continuing work== | ==Continuing work== | ||
| + | During a furlough in the US in 1892, he recruited new missionaries for the Korean Mission field. After returning from furlough, he published the first Korean hymnal. In the early 20th century, he helped found the Korean YMCA, and in 1915 established Chosun Christian College, and served as its first president. The college later was renamed Yonhui College, and still later, in 1957 merged with the Severence Union Medical College to form Yonsei University. | ||
| − | + | As Japanese control over Korea strengthened, the Japanese authorities took control of the educational system in Korea, and required that all educators know Japanese. Underwood travelled to Japan in January of 1916 to learn Japanese. Already in his mid-fifties, the intense study schedule he maintained proved too much for his health, and he returned to Korea a few months later. His health continued to deteriorate, and he traveled to the United States to receive medical treatment, and finally passed away later the same year. | |
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | Horace Underwood became a permanent part of his new homeland, Korea. He took a Korean name, Won Doo-woo, and his family stayed in Korea for four generations, teaching and serving in | + | Horace Underwood became a permanent part of his new homeland, Korea. He took a Korean name, Won Doo-woo, and his family stayed in Korea for four generations, teaching and administrating at the university he helped to found, and serving their new homeland in many other ways. There is no doubt that the schools he helped create have played an integral part in helping form the Korean education system, contributing to the very high literacy rate that Korea has today. Yonsei University, which grew out of the Choson Christian College he started is one of the most prominent universities in Korea. |
Revision as of 19:39, 25 July 2007
Horace Grant Underwood (July 19, 1859 – October 12, 1916), one of the earliest Protestant missionaries sent to Korea by the American Presbyterian Mission Board, arrived in the country in 1885, just a few years after the 1882 Treaty of Amity and Trade between Korea and the United States, which promised protection for missionaries working in Korea. During his 31 years of ministry, working primarily as an educator, Underwood published one of the earliest Korean-English dictionaries ever written, and devoted a great deal of time and energy to educational ventures, including a founding role in the college that later grew into Yonsei University, one of Korea’s top educational institutions today.
Early years
Horace Underwood was born in London, and immigrated with his family to the United States when he was 13. He graduated from New York University in 1881, and then attended the Dutch Reformed Theological Seminary, during which time he felt a calling to become a missionary. Expecting he would be sent to India, where mission activity was very strong in the mid-19th century, he studied medicine for one year in preparation. When the Mission Board sent him out in December 1884, they decided, instead of India, to send him to a new mission territory, the little-known kingdom of Korea.
Arrival in Korea
When he arrived in the waters near Korea, the country was in a state of unrest and he had to wait a few months in Japan. He made use of his time in Japan in further missionary training, and learning the Korean language, studying with a Korean Christian named Lee Sujung who was living in Yokohama. Before leaving for Korea he received a copy of Lee's translation of the Gospel of Mark. Finally, in April 1885, Underwood arrived in his mission country.
Creating educational opportunities
About a year after arriving, he formed an orphanage, which eventually became Gyeongsin High School, one of the earliest schools offering educational opportunities for Korea’s commoners; in 19th-century Korea education was only available for the upper classes. In 1887, he established the Saemoonan Church in Seoul, starting with 14 members, many of them converted by Soh Sangyun, a local Korean convert who had been baptized by American missionary John Ross in Manchuria before protestant mission work began in Korea.
Very concerned about the need for good education for the Korean people, as the mission work expanded he created elementary schools in each new district. He also set to work refining the Korean translation of the Gospel of Mark that he had received from Lee Sujung. From 1887, he served on a board of Bible translators along with Henry G. Appenzeller and others; together the board completed a Korean translation of the New Testament by 1900. He published his first Korea/English and English/Korean dictionaries in 1890.
Continuing work
During a furlough in the US in 1892, he recruited new missionaries for the Korean Mission field. After returning from furlough, he published the first Korean hymnal. In the early 20th century, he helped found the Korean YMCA, and in 1915 established Chosun Christian College, and served as its first president. The college later was renamed Yonhui College, and still later, in 1957 merged with the Severence Union Medical College to form Yonsei University.
As Japanese control over Korea strengthened, the Japanese authorities took control of the educational system in Korea, and required that all educators know Japanese. Underwood travelled to Japan in January of 1916 to learn Japanese. Already in his mid-fifties, the intense study schedule he maintained proved too much for his health, and he returned to Korea a few months later. His health continued to deteriorate, and he traveled to the United States to receive medical treatment, and finally passed away later the same year.
Legacy
Horace Underwood became a permanent part of his new homeland, Korea. He took a Korean name, Won Doo-woo, and his family stayed in Korea for four generations, teaching and administrating at the university he helped to found, and serving their new homeland in many other ways. There is no doubt that the schools he helped create have played an integral part in helping form the Korean education system, contributing to the very high literacy rate that Korea has today. Yonsei University, which grew out of the Choson Christian College he started is one of the most prominent universities in Korea.
