Frederick Stewart (colonial administrator)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Stewart was the Colonial Secretary in Hong Kong
. He is considered "The Founder of Hong Kong Education" for integrating a modern western-style education model into the Colonial
Hong Kong school
systems. Stewart could speak fluent Cantonese
, which was vital to his work in the 19th century.
, Aberdeenshire
in Scotland
on 30 October 1836. He was educated in King’s College
at the University of Aberdeen
.
position of the newly established "Government Central School", known today as Queen's College
. Five months later, Stewart would accept the position, reaching Hong Kong at the age of 25 on 15 February 1862. Ho Kai was one of his pupils. As part of a new British government initiative, he also became the inspector for all government schools in Hong Kong that same year.
On 30 June 1865 Stewart became the first head of the "Government Education Department" in Hong Kong. He resigned on 19 May 1881 at the age of 45. In 1879 his alma mater
, the University of Aberdeen
, awarded him the honorary degree of LL.D for furthering the interests of education in Hong Kong.
Stewart was appointed police magistrate in 1881 and Registrar-General in 1883. In 1887 he was appointed Colonial Secretary and in he died in Hong Kong in 1889.
From 1887 to 1890 he would serve as the Colonial Secretary
for the British Empire. Informally he would also act as the leading advisor on educational matters in Hong Kong. He was also the dean
of the "Faculty of Medicine", the precursor of the University of Hong Kong until his death.
.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. He is considered "The Founder of Hong Kong Education" for integrating a modern western-style education model into the Colonial
Colonial Hong Kong
In the 19th century the British, Dutch, French, Indians and Americans saw Imperial China as the world's largest untapped market. In 1840 the British Empire launched their first and one of the most aggressive expeditionary forces to claim the territory that would later be known as Hong Kong.In a few...
Hong Kong school
Education in Hong Kong
Education in Hong Kong has a similar system to that of the United Kingdom, in particular the English education system of Hong Kong was modernised by the British in 1861. The system is often described as extremely competitive by global standards....
systems. Stewart could speak fluent Cantonese
Standard Cantonese
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese....
, which was vital to his work in the 19th century.
Early life
The son of James Stewart and Jean Brown, Stewart was born in RathenRathen
Rathen is a village in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, in Saxony, Germany, about 35 km southeast of Dresden on the Elbe River. Rathen has between 400 and 500 inhabitants....
, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on 30 October 1836. He was educated in King’s College
King's College, Aberdeen
King's College in Old Aberdeen, Scotland is a formerly independent university founded in 1495 and an integral part of the University of Aberdeen...
at the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
.
Career
A post was announced in the Aberdeen Journal on 7 August 1861 for the headmasterHead teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
position of the newly established "Government Central School", known today as Queen's College
Queen's College, Hong Kong
Queen's College , initially named The Government Central School in 1862, later renamed as Victoria College in 1889, is a sixth form college for boys with a secondary school attached. It was the first public secondary school founded in Hong Kong by the British colonial government...
. Five months later, Stewart would accept the position, reaching Hong Kong at the age of 25 on 15 February 1862. Ho Kai was one of his pupils. As part of a new British government initiative, he also became the inspector for all government schools in Hong Kong that same year.
On 30 June 1865 Stewart became the first head of the "Government Education Department" in Hong Kong. He resigned on 19 May 1881 at the age of 45. In 1879 his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, the University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
, awarded him the honorary degree of LL.D for furthering the interests of education in Hong Kong.
Stewart was appointed police magistrate in 1881 and Registrar-General in 1883. In 1887 he was appointed Colonial Secretary and in he died in Hong Kong in 1889.
From 1887 to 1890 he would serve as the Colonial Secretary
Chief Secretary for Administration
The Chief Secretary for Administration , commonly known as Chief Secretary and abbreviated as CS, is the second highest position of the Hong Kong Government...
for the British Empire. Informally he would also act as the leading advisor on educational matters in Hong Kong. He was also the dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the "Faculty of Medicine", the precursor of the University of Hong Kong until his death.
Memory
Steward died in sudden illness while in the office of Colonial Secretary in 1889. A memorial stained glass window was erected in St. John's CathedralSt. John's Cathedral
St. John's Cathedral, or Cathedral of St. John, or other variations on the name, with or without the suffix 'the Evangelist, may refer to:In Antigua:*St. John's Cathedral, St. John'sIn Australia:*St John's Cathedral, Brisbane...
.