Fitch, Robert F. (Robert Ferris), 1873-

Jesuit Missions to Hangchow, China, can be traced back to at least the sixteenth century. Nicolas Trigault was born on March 3, 1577 in Douai, Belgium. He entered the Society of Jesus at Tournai on November 9, 1594. After completing his studies, he embarked for the Far East (March 1607) and arrived in China shortly after the Mission's founder, Matteo Ricci had died (1610). Two years later, Ricci's successor, Nicolo Longobardo, dispached Trigault back to Europe to promote a comprehensive program of Christian expansion. Trigault died on November 14, 1628 in Hangchow, China. Another missionary at the time, Manuel Diaz ("junior"), born in Castello Branco, Portugal in 1574,followed the same calling. Diaz entered the Society of Jesus in 1592 and sailed for the Indies in 1601. He arrived in China in 1610 and taught theology for 6 years at Macao. He published several works in Chinese on ascetical theology. Diaz died on March 4, 1659 in Hangchow, China. Limited information is available on the photographer, Fitch, but it appears that he had become, by 1927 at the latest, president of Hangchow Christian College, a college established in 1897 and supported by the Northern Presbyterian Board of the United States.