Hancock, William

William Hancock (1846-1914) was born at Lurgan, Ireland, and educated at a private school in Lancaster. He attended Queen's College, Belfast, 1862-1866, where he studied Latin, German and chemistry but did not graduate. After completing his studies, he worked in the linen industry. Hancock joined the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service in 1874, and was appointed clerk at Chefoo on arriving in China in July. He was transferred to the Inspectorate-General at Peking in 1875 to study Chinese. Thereafter, he moved between postings throughout the country. During 1885-1888, he was a professor at Customs College, Peking, where he probably taught Chinese. Hancock travelled widely in his duties and while on leave, including visits to the Sandwich Islands and Venezuela. In 1906 he witnessed the San Francisco earthquake and fire. He was fascinated by botany, and contributed findings collected on his travels to Kew. He was a Fellow of the Linnaean and Royal Geographical Societies. Hancock resigne d from the service in 1908, and died at Clifton, Bristol, on 6 August 1914.

From the guide to the William Hancock: Letters and journals from China, 1874-c. 1971, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

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