Hunter Corbett | |
|---|---|
 Hunter Corbett | |
| Born | (1835-12-08)December 8, 1835 Clarion County,Pennsylvania,United States |
| Died | January 7, 1920(1920-01-07) (aged 84) |
| Occupation | Missionary |
| Years active | 56 Years |
| Known for | Educational Mission inChina |
| Spouses |
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| Children | Fanny Culbertson (Corbett) Hays Jane Lea (Corbett) Goheen Grace (Corbett) Wells |
| Parent(s) | Ross Mitchell Corbett Fannie Culbertson Orr |
Hunter CorbettD.D. (Chinese:郭显德;pinyin:Guō Xiǎndé; December 8, 1835 – January 7, 1920) was a pioneer[1] American missionary to Chefoo (Zhifu 芝罘区, inYantai),ShandongChina, he served with theAmerican Presbyterian Mission.[2][3] He was a fervent advocate of the missionary enterprise.
He founded the Yi Wen School at Tengchow (also known as Boys' Academy / Hunter Corbett Academy Tengchow)[1] afterward converted into an institution of higher education asCheeloo University in 1928. It was the first university in China.[4]
Hunter Corbett was born to Ross Mitchell Corbett and Fannie Culbertson (Orr) Corbett on December 8, 1835 inClarion County, Pennsylvania, USA. He graduated from Jefferson College inCanonsburg, Pennsylvania (nowWashington & Jefferson College) in 1860.[5] and fromPrinceton Theological Seminary. With his first wife, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Culbertson, he sailed for China in 1863.
After a six-month voyage around theCape of Good Hope and shipwreck off the China coast, they finally arrived at Chefoo (Yantai) in the middle of winter, 1863. After several years inDengzhou (P'eng-lai, or Tengchow), they established a permanent residence at Chefoo and began evangelistic work. Along with colleaguesCalvin Wilson Mateer andJohn Nevius, Corbett developed the methodology that would plant the gospel in the soil of northern China and make Shandong the strongest Presbyterian mission in China. Wide itineration throughout the countryside, rather than concentrated efforts in the cities, was the main feature of the Shandong plan. Corbett was described as an "Indefatigable Itinerator," and he traveled over the whole province by horse, mule cart, and foot. Added to his travel difficulties were incidents in which he was reviled and stoned. In 1886Washington and Jefferson College awarded him an honoraryDoctor of Divinity degree.[6]
Corbett believed in using unconventional methods. He rented a theater and converted the back rooms into a museum stocked with objects of interest from around the world. After a service, the museum doors would be opened. In 1900, about 72,000 people listened to his preaching and visited the museum. A crowning achievement was the organization and development of Shandong Presbytery. By the year of Corbett's death, there were 343 organized churches and chapels throughout the province, with more than 15,000 communicant members. In 1906 he was electedModerator of the General Assembly,[7] the central governing body of thePresbyterian Church in the United States of America orreformed church.[8]
Hunter Corbettministered in China for 56 years. He died in Chefoo (nowYantai),China on 7 January 1920.
Corbett's third wife and widow, Harriet Robina Sutherland, died in 1936.[9]
In 1907, his daughter, Grace Corbett marriedRalph C. Wells (1877–1955).[10] In 1908, his daughter, Jane Lea Corbett marriedJohn Lawrence Goheen.
Author: Hunter Corbett
Others
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| Preceded by The Rev.James D. Moffat | Moderator of the 118th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America 1906–1907 | Succeeded by The Rev. William H. Roberts |
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