Lewis S.C. Smythe
Encyclopedia
Lewis Strong Casey Smythe (born 1901) received his BA from Drake College in 1923 and his Ph.D. in Missions and Christian Theology from the Chicago Divinity School in 1928. He married Margaret Lillian Garrett in 1924. In 1928, the Smythes went to Nanking, sponsored by the United Christian Mission Society. Smythe served as Professor of Sociology at Nanking University until 1951.
Smythe was in Nanking during the Battle of Nanking and its aftermath, the Nanking Massacre
. He served as Secretary of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone from December 14, 1937 to February 10, 1938. In that role, he and the Committee's chairman, John Rabe
, recorded the atrocities committed by Japanese troops and made daily reports complaining to the Japanese embassy. Smythe reported that the Japanese embassy continually promised to do something about the atrocities but it was February 1938 before anything effective was done to restore order to the city.
After the end of World War II
, Smythe was among members of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone who testified about the Nanking Massacre
to the International Military Tribunal of the Far East.
He subsequently worked as an advisor to several organizations and wrote several articles and books relating to social change in China.
In the documentary film Nanking
, Smythe was portrayed by actor Stephen Dorff
.
Smythe was in Nanking during the Battle of Nanking and its aftermath, the Nanking Massacre
Nanking Massacre
The Nanking Massacre or Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, was a mass murder, genocide and war rape that occurred during the six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanjing , the former capital of the Republic of China, on December 13, 1937 during the Second...
. He served as Secretary of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone from December 14, 1937 to February 10, 1938. In that role, he and the Committee's chairman, John Rabe
John Rabe
John Rabe was a German businessman who is best known for his efforts to stop the atrocities of the Japanese army during the Nanking Occupation and his work to protect and help the Chinese civilians during the event...
, recorded the atrocities committed by Japanese troops and made daily reports complaining to the Japanese embassy. Smythe reported that the Japanese embassy continually promised to do something about the atrocities but it was February 1938 before anything effective was done to restore order to the city.
After the end of 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...
, Smythe was among members of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone who testified about the Nanking Massacre
Nanking Massacre
The Nanking Massacre or Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, was a mass murder, genocide and war rape that occurred during the six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanjing , the former capital of the Republic of China, on December 13, 1937 during the Second...
to the International Military Tribunal of the Far East.
He subsequently worked as an advisor to several organizations and wrote several articles and books relating to social change in China.
In the documentary film Nanking
Nanking (film)
Nanking is a 2007 film about the 1937 Nanking Massacre committed by the Japanese army in the former capital city Nanjing, China. The film draws on letters and diaries from the era as well as archive footage and interviews with surviving victims and perpetrators of the massacre...
, Smythe was portrayed by actor Stephen Dorff
Stephen Dorff
Stephen Dorff is an American actor, best known for portraying Stuart Sutcliffe in Backbeat, Johnny Marco in Somewhere, and for his roles in Blade and Cecil B. DeMented.-Early life:...
.
See also
- War Damage in the Nanking area Dec.1937 to Mar.1938
- Minnie VautrinMinnie VautrinWilhelmina Vautrin was an American missionary renowned for saving the lives of many women at the Ginling Girls College in Nanjing, China, during the Nanking Massacre.- Biography :...
- John RabeJohn RabeJohn Rabe was a German businessman who is best known for his efforts to stop the atrocities of the Japanese army during the Nanking Occupation and his work to protect and help the Chinese civilians during the event...