Frederick Stewart (colonial administrator)
Frederick Stewart (1836–1889) 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.
Early life
The son of James Stewart and Jean Brown, Stewart was born in Rathen,Aberdeenshire in Scotland on 30th October 1836. He was educated in King’s College at the University of Aberdeen.
Career
A post was announced in the Aberdeen Journal on August 7, 1861 for the headmaster 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 February 15, 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 June 30, 1865 Stewart became the first head of the "Government Education Department" in Hong Kong. He resigned on May 19, 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.[1] He was also the dean of the "Faculty of Medicine", the precursor of the University of Hong Kong until his death.
After Death
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 Cathedral.[2]
References
- ^ Bickley, Gillian. [1997](1997). The Golden Needle: The Biography of Frederick Stewart (1836-1889). Hong Kong. ISBN 962-8027085
- ^ Sayer, G. R. (1975). Hong Kong 1862-1919. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962-209-118-0.