Chinese Jews: A Compilation of Matters Relating to the Jews of K'aifeng Fu.

WHITE, William Charles.

Published by Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1942

About this Item

First editions, first printings, including a presentation copy of volume II, inscribed on the half-title, "With the compliments of the author. William C. White, March 10. 1943". White served as Bishop of Henan, with his ministry headquartered in Kaifeng, the provincial capital, where he controversially took over the site of the former synagogue. The author (1873-1960) was posted to Fujian in 1897 as a Church Missionary Society pastor. In 1909, he was consecrated bishop and tasked with starting the society's missionary enterprise in Henan. During the next two decades, he purchased antiquities and artefacts for the Royal Ontario Museum, where he would later become Keeper of the Asiatic Collection. White's actions vis-à-vis Kaifeng's Jewish history divided opinion, with locals objecting to his purchase of the synagogue site and his attempts to ship Jewish tablets back to Canada. Nonetheless, he helped compile a wealth of information on the history of the city's Jewish community. In 1934, he returned to Canada, taking a professorship of Chinese Studies at the University of Toronto. 3 vols, quarto. Each vol. with 1 or more frontispieces, illustrations in text. Original brown buckram, spines lettered in gilt, top edges trimmed, others untrimmed. Cloth lightly rubbed, else a fresh, fine set. Seller Inventory # 164461

Bibliographic Details

Title: Chinese Jews: A Compilation of Matters ...

Publisher: Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1942

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition