Character guide

Yung Wing

major

Also known as Commissioner Yung Wing, Of Wing, Wing, Mandarin Yung Wing, Yung

Narrator and central figure; Chinese student in America, later commissioner and reformer.

Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan

major

Also known as Tsang Kwoh Fan, Tsang, Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan, So Tsang Kwoh Fan, the Viceroy, Viceroy, Viceroy Tsang, Tsang Koh Fan

Powerful Qing viceroy and patron of Yung Wing's educational mission.

Chin Lan Pin

supporting

Also known as Chin

Chinese official and colleague of Yung Wing, involved in the educational mission.

Wong Shing

supporting

Also known as Shing

Chinese student and associate of Yung Wing in America and China.

Hung Siu Chune

supporting

Also known as Hung

Leader of the Taiping Rebellion, encountered by Yung Wing during his travels.

Li Hung Chang

supporting

Also known as Viceroy Li, Viceroy Li Hung Chang, Li, the Viceroy, Viceroy Chang, Chang

Prominent Qing statesman and viceroy, a key figure in later diplomatic dealings.

Mrs. Gutzlaff

minor

Wife of missionary Karl Gutzlaff, who ran a school for Chinese girls in Macao.

Woo Tsze Tung

supporting

Also known as Woo

Chinese merchant and associate of Yung Wing in business ventures.

Chang Chi Tung

minor

Also known as Viceroy Chang Chi Tung

Qing official and reformer, later viceroy, involved in modernization efforts.

Wan Cheang

minor

Chinese associate of Yung Wing, possibly a fellow student or colleague.

Rev. Mr. Roberts

minor

Also known as Mr. Roberts, the Rev. Icabod J. Roberts, the Rev. Mr. Icabod J. Roberts

American missionary in China, teacher of Hung Siu Chune.

Wong Foon

minor

Also known as Wong

Chinese student who accompanied Yung Wing to America.

Mr. John Haskins

minor

Also known as Haskins

American businessman and friend of Yung Wing in Hong Kong.

Viscount Gentaro Kodama

minor

Also known as Kodama

Japanese military officer and statesman, mentioned in later chapters.

Ting Yih Chang

minor

Also known as Ting

Chinese official and associate of Yung Wing.

Rev. Charles Hammond

minor

American missionary and teacher in China, associated with Yung Wing's education.

Commandant Liu

minor

Also known as Liu, the Commandant Liu, Liu ⸻

Chinese military officer encountered by Yung Wing during the Taiping visit.

Mr. Brown

supporting

Also known as Brown

American missionary and teacher who brought Yung Wing to America.

Rev. Shubael Bartlett

minor

Also known as The Rev. Shubael Bartlett

American clergyman and educator, mentor to Yung Wing at Monson Academy.

Li Sien Lan

minor

Also known as Mr. Li Sien Lan, Mr. Li, Li

Chinese scholar and official, friend of Yung Wing.

Emperor Kwang Su

minor

Also known as the late Emperor Kwang Su, Kwang Su, the young Emperor Kwang Su

Qing emperor during the Hundred Days' Reform, later placed under house arrest.

Kan Wong

minor

Also known as Kan, the Kan Wong

Chinese official and associate of Yung Wing.

Governor Ting

minor

Also known as Ting

Chinese provincial governor, possibly same as Ting Yih Chang.

Viceroy Yeh Ming Hsin

minor

Also known as Yeh Ming Hsin

Qing official, governor of Guangdong, involved in the Arrow War.

Tsang Kee Foo

minor

Also known as Tsang

Chinese merchant and associate of Yung Wing.

Mrs. Brown

minor

Also known as Brown, Mrs. Phoebe H. Brown

Wife of Mr. Brown, who helped care for Yung Wing in America.

Dr. Parker

minor

American missionary and physician in China, involved in diplomatic affairs.

Dr. Hobson

minor

British missionary physician in China, associated with medical work.

Shing Taotai

minor

Also known as Taotai, Shing

Chinese official (taotai) and associate of Yung Wing.

Mr. Parson

minor

Also known as Parson

American acquaintance of Yung Wing, possibly a teacher or businessman.

Ou Ngoh Liang

minor

Also known as Ou

Chinese official and associate of Yung Wing.

Tien Wong

minor

Also known as the Tien Wong

Title of the Taiping leader, likely Hung Siu Chune.

Chung Wong

minor

Taiping prince or leader, encountered by Yung Wing.

Dr. Robert Morrison

minor

Also known as Morrison, Robert, Dr. Morrison, Robert Morrison

Pioneering Protestant missionary to China, translator of the Bible.

Mr. Wm. Allen Macy

minor

Also known as Macy, the Rev. William Allen Macy, the Rev. Macy

American missionary and educator in China.

Andrew Shortrede

minor

Also known as Shortrede

British newspaper publisher in Hong Kong, friend of Yung Wing.

Ung Tung Hwo

minor

Also known as Ung

Chinese associate of Yung Wing, possibly a fellow student.

Bartlett G. Yung

minor

Also known as Bartlett

Relative or namesake of Yung Wing, possibly a son.

Miss Rebekah Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, friend of Yung Wing.

Wen Seang

minor

Also known as Minister Wen Seang, Prime Minister Wen Seang, Seang

Qing official and minister, involved in foreign affairs.

Chang Yen Hwan

minor

Chinese official and associate of Yung Wing.

Captain Dumaresque

minor

Ship captain who transported Yung Wing to America.

Chin Kiang

minor

Also known as Chin

Chinese official or associate, possibly a governor.

Yeh Shu Tung

minor

Also known as Yeh

Chinese official, possibly related to Viceroy Yeh.

Dr. Bushnell

minor

Also known as Dr. Bushnell of Hartford

American clergyman and theologian, friend of Yung Wing.

Prof. David E. Bartlett

minor

Also known as David

American professor, possibly related to Rev. Bartlett.

Chang Shi Kwei

minor

Also known as Kwei, Chang

Chinese official and associate of Yung Wing.

Leang Afah

minor

Also known as Leang

Chinese Christian convert and evangelist, associated with Morrison.

Wha Yuh Ting

minor

Also known as Wha

Chinese official or associate of Yung Wing.

Mr. B. G. Northrop

minor

Also known as Mr. Northrop

American educator and commissioner of education, friend of Yung Wing.

Morrison Brown Yung

minor

Also known as Morrison Brown

Son of Yung Wing, named after Robert Morrison and the Browns.

Dowager Empress Chi Hsi

minor

Also known as Empress Chi Hsi, Chi Hsi

Powerful Qing empress dowager, opponent of reform.

Ida de Rogers

minor

Also known as The Ida de Rogers

Ship on which Yung Wing traveled.

Liu Kai Sing

minor

Chinese official or associate of Yung Wing.

Prof. James Hadley

minor

American professor at Yale, teacher of Yung Wing.

Kwan Su

minor

Possibly a variant of Emperor Kwang Su.