3 - MORRISON, Robert

Robert Morrison (1782–1834) bridged the divide between missionaries and traders, two groups often at loggerheads in China. Although sent out as a missionary in 1807, the Qing government was hostile to attempts to introduce foreign religions and so, in order to remain in China, Morrison obtained a job with the East India Company in 1809, first as translator and later as tutor. He remained with the company in various capacities until its dissolution in 1834, which was speedily followed by his own death.

He is best remembered for his monumental Dictionary of the Chinese Language, published in three volumes between 1815–1822, which contains within it extensive translations from various Chinese texts.