Diary of the 1911 Chinese Revolution [Xinhai Revolution] by Rev Bernard Upward

Archive Collection
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Scope and Content

Typescript diary written by Rev Bernard Upward, missionary with the London Missionary Society, of his experiences during the 1911 Chinese Revolution. Also includes a photocopy of the diary and a copy of the publication, 'Like Lions after Slumber: A Personal Account of the Chinese Revolution of 1911. The Diary of Bernard Upward of Hankow' (Jennifer Childs, 2016).

Administrative / Biographical History

Bernard William Upward was born on 10 January 1873, at Newport, Isle of Wight. Before going to China in connection with the China Inland Mission (1897-1904), he was a member of the Congregational Church, Newport. He married Kate Spink (born 8 October 1866) on 11 April 1901, at Shanghai. He was appointed to Hankow with the London Missionary Society, and left England with his wife on 24 January 1905. He was chiefly engaged in educational work and had a large share in the growth of the Giffith John College. He served the Society as part of a Deputation to the Australian Churches in 1922. He resigned from the Society in 1927. Bernard Upward died at Reading on 11 June 1944; Kate Upward died at Reading on 5 November 1956.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Donated to SOAS Library in March 2017.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright belongs to SOAS.

Custodial History

The diary was retained by and passed down through the family.

Related Material

Official missionary papers of Bernard and Kate Upward can be found in the archive of the London Missionary Society at SOAS (ref: CWM/LMS).

Publications by Bernard Upward can be found in the Council for World Mission Library at SOAS, as follows:

'The sons of Han : stories of Chinese life and mission work', Rev Bernard Upward, Hankow, Central China (London : London Missionary Society, 1908) (ref: CWML R429)

'The adventures of a bullet : a tale of the Chinese revolution', Rev Bernard Upward, Hankow (London : London Missionary Society, 1914)

Bernard Upward also contributed two chapters to the publication, 'China's revolution, 1911-1912 : a historical and political record of the civil war', by Edwin J. Dingle (London : T. Fisher Unwin, 1912)