Origins & Early Life

Sir Thomas Francis Wade, (25 August 1818 – 31 July 1895) was a British diplomat and sinologist who produced an early Chinese textbook in English, in 1867, that was later amended, extended and converted into the Wade-Giles romanization system for Mandarin Chinese by Herbert Giles in 1892. He was the first professor of Chinese at Cambridge University. Born in London, he was the elder son of Colonel Thomas Wade, CB, of the Black Watch and Anne Smythe (daughter of William Smythe) of Barbavilla, County Westmeath, Ireland. He was educated at the Cape, in Mauritius, at Harrow and at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1838, his father purchased for him a commission in the 81st Foot. Exchanging (1839) into the 42nd Highlanders, he served with his regiment in the Ionian Islands, devoting his leisure to the study of Italian and modern Greek. On receiving his commission as lieutenant in 1841 he exchanged into the 98th Foot, then under orders for Qing China and landed at Hong Kong in June 1842. The scene of the First Opium War had at that time been transferred to the Yangtze River and Wade was ordered there with his regiment. There he took part in the attack on...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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