William Campbell (missionary)

William Campbell (Chinese: 甘為霖; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Kam Ûi-lîm) (1841–1921) was a Scottish Presbyterian missionary to Formosa (Qing Taiwan). He wrote extensively on topics related to Taiwan and was also responsible for founding the island's first school for the blind.[2] Interested in the early history of the island (particularly the Dutch era), his knowledge of the time was such that he was called "without doubt the greatest authority on this subject living".[3] He was probably the first European to see Sun-Moon Lake,[4] which he named Lake Candidius in honour of the seventeenth century Dutch missionary George Candidius.

The Rev. Dr William Campbell
An engraving of Campbell as depicted in his book Sketches from Formosa
Born1841
Glasgow, Scotland
Died9 September 1921(1921-09-09) (aged 79–80)
Bournemouth, Dorset
NationalityScottish
Alma materFree Church College, Glasgow[1] University of Glasgow
TitleLL.D.
Signature

Mission to Taiwan

Campbell arrived in Qing-era Taiwan in 1871 to begin his mission in southern Taiwan, being stationed in Taiwan-fu, the capital of Taiwan Prefecture (modern-day Tainan) and serving both Han Chinese and Taiwanese aborigines in the area.[5] He was a contemporary of Thomas Barclay, James Laidlaw Maxwell and George Leslie Mackay, who were all engaged in missionary work in Taiwan.

A strong supporter of "native ministers" (i.e. Han and aborigine clergy), Campbell wrote concerning one particular incident that

...our worthy Chinese colleague received a most hearty welcome from the brethren. He seemed to have great power in speaking to them at our forenoon service. [...] Whilst listening to him, one could not but feel the importance of having an educated native ministry in every part of China. Men like Pastor Iap are able to adapt themselves in a way the missionary can never do, and to overcome difficulties which must always hamper any mere sojourner in the country.[6]

Campbell witnessed Taiwan's transition to Japanese occupation. His mission lasted for forty-six years, until he left Taiwan for the last time in 1917 to return to his native Scotland, where he died in 1921.

Published works

Notes
  1. William Campbell (1915). "Sketches from Formosa". p. 15.
  2. Chang, Teresa. "Taiwan's Medical Pioneers". Tzu Chi. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  3. Davidson (1903), p. 606.
  4. Otness (1999), p. 25.
  5. Covell (1998), p. 119.
  6. Campbell (1915), p. 24.

References
  • Campbell, William (1915). Sketches from Formosa. London: Marshall Brothers. OL 7051071M.
  • Covell, Ralph (1998). Pentecost of the hills in Taiwan : the Christian faith among the original inhabitants. Pasadena, Calif.: Hope Pub. House. ISBN 978-0-932727-90-9. OL 681169M.
  • Davidson, James W. (1903). "Chapter XXXI: Formosa of To-day". The Island of Formosa, Past and Present : history, people, resources, and commercial prospects : tea, camphor, sugar, gold, coal, sulphur, economical plants, and other productions. London and New York: Macmillan. OCLC 1887893. OL 6931635M.
  • Otness, Harold M. (1999). One Thousand Westerners in Taiwan, to 1945: A Biographical and Bibliographical Dictionary (1st ed.). Nangang District, Taipei: Institute of Taiwan History, Preparatory Office, Academic Sinica. ISBN 957-671-618-7.


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