Professor of Asian History Thomas H. Reilly to Explore the Role of Chinese Protestants in Republican China
Thomas H. Reilly, professor of Asian history and coordinator of Chinese language in the International Studies and Languages Division at Seaver College, will discuss his most recent book, Saving the Nation: Chinese Protestant Elites and the Quest to Build a New China, 1922–1952, in the Surfboard Room at Payson Library in Malibu on Thursday, December 2, at noon.
“What inspired me to write the book was how Chinese Protestants are sometimes described—or not described—in histories of Modern China,” Reilly said. “When they are represented at all in those histories, they are often depicted as a marginal force with minimal contributions to the building of modern China. But nothing could be farther from the truth. I wanted to correct this view and to bring credit and honor to the protestant elite—such as university presidents, social reformers, businessmen—for their contribution to the building of a modern China.”
In his book, Reilly examines the integral roles the Chinese Protestant elite played in Republican China in the first half of the 20th century. He tells the fascinating story of the influence of Protestant institutions, especially colleges, the YMCA, and the YWCA, in the development of Modern China.
This event is open to students, faculty, staff, and invited guests. For additional information about the lecture, visit the Pepperdine Libraries website.