Laurence Thompson
Encyclopedia
Laurence Larry G. Thompson was a World War II veteran, sinologist, classical violin
ist and USC
professor of East Asian languages and cultures emeritus. (Born 1920, died July 10, 2005).
province of Republic of China
, and lived there until age 14. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a Japanese-language interpreter. During World War II
, he fought in the South Pacific
.
In 1942, Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from UCLA. In 1947, he earned a master's degree from Claremont Graduate School. Seven years later, he earned a doctorate from Claremont.
From 1951 to 1959, Thompson served in the United States Foreign Service
in Taipei
, Tokyo
, Manila
and Hong Kong
. In Seoul
and Taipei, he was an staff member of The Asia Foundation .
An accomplished classical violinist, Thompson taught music at National Taiwan Normal University
from 1959 to 1962. He was a Pomona College
faculty member from 1962 to 1965, and a USC faculty member from 1965 to 1986. At USC, he served as chair of the department of East Asian languages and cultures from 1968 to 1970, and from 1972 to 1976. From 1972 to 1974, he became the USC East Asian Studies Center’s first director.
As a sinologist, his first major publication was a translation of Kang Youwei
's "Da Tong Shu." His contributions to Taiwanese
studies included several meticulous translations.
His main intellectual commitment was to his pioneering studies of Chinese religion. He wrote Chinese Religion: An Introduction and The Chinese Way in Religion. He also translated several volumes of religious studies by Wu Yaoyu. His bibliography of Chinese religious studies in Western languages is a basic resource to the field, which he continued to update in retirement. He authored the article on Chinese religion for Encyclopædia Britannica
, 15th edition. Additionally, he served as president of the Society for the Study of Chinese Religions for nine years, and in 1992 was honored with a festschrift
in the Journal of Chinese Religions
.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
professor of East Asian languages and cultures emeritus. (Born 1920, died July 10, 2005).
Biography
He was born in 1920 in the ShandongShandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
province of Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, and lived there until age 14. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a Japanese-language interpreter. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he fought in the South Pacific
South Pacific Area
The South Pacific Area was a multinational U.S.-led military command active during World War II. It was a part of the U.S. Pacific Ocean Areas under Admiral Chester Nimitz.Instructions to the senior U.S...
.
In 1942, Thompson earned a bachelor's degree from UCLA. In 1947, he earned a master's degree from Claremont Graduate School. Seven years later, he earned a doctorate from Claremont.
From 1951 to 1959, Thompson served in the United States Foreign Service
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and Hong Kong
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...
. In Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and Taipei, he was an staff member of The Asia Foundation .
An accomplished classical violinist, Thompson taught music at National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University is an institution of higher learning operating on three campuses in Taipei, Taiwan . NTNU is widely recognized as one of Taiwan's elite institutions of higher education. The university enrolls approximately 11,000 students each year. The ratio of undergraduate to...
from 1959 to 1962. He was a Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
faculty member from 1962 to 1965, and a USC faculty member from 1965 to 1986. At USC, he served as chair of the department of East Asian languages and cultures from 1968 to 1970, and from 1972 to 1976. From 1972 to 1974, he became the USC East Asian Studies Center’s first director.
As a sinologist, his first major publication was a translation of Kang Youwei
Kang Youwei
Kang Youwei , was a Chinese scholar, noted calligrapher and prominent political thinker and reformer of the late Qing Dynasty. He led movements to establish a constitutional monarchy and was an ardent Chinese nationalist. His ideas inspired a reformation movement that was supported by the Guangxu...
's "Da Tong Shu." His contributions to Taiwanese
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
studies included several meticulous translations.
His main intellectual commitment was to his pioneering studies of Chinese religion. He wrote Chinese Religion: An Introduction and The Chinese Way in Religion. He also translated several volumes of religious studies by Wu Yaoyu. His bibliography of Chinese religious studies in Western languages is a basic resource to the field, which he continued to update in retirement. He authored the article on Chinese religion for Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
, 15th edition. Additionally, he served as president of the Society for the Study of Chinese Religions for nine years, and in 1992 was honored with a festschrift
Festschrift
In academia, a Festschrift , is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during his or her lifetime. The term, borrowed from German, could be translated as celebration publication or celebratory writing...
in the Journal of Chinese Religions
Journal of Chinese Religions
The Journal of Chinese Religions is the official journal of the Society for the Study of Chinese Religions. It is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes articles, book reviews, and other communications on all aspects of Chinese religions once each year...
.