THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED

In this 170th anniversary year for the Anglican church in Hong Kong, Dr Gillian Bickley’s illustrated talk will give a personal view of the pioneering first bishop and his wife -- he “a tall, thin pale-looking man” and she “most amiable,” “a perfect lady”.

You will hear some of the experiences and events the bishop encountered during his missionary travels – mainly in China during a period of turmoil, and in India just a few years ahead of the Indian Mutiny. An independent-minded, highly-educated, dedicated, and enthusiastic person, Bishop Smith had many wide-ranging connections. In his travel journals, he provides first-hand information about China’s internal, consular and diplomatic events.

The Speakers

Gillian Bickley, PhD, FRSA, was up to recently a Council member and Vice- President of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong. She is a retired Associate Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, and is known for her work in Hong Kong’s 19th century history. She has been researching the life and writings of the missionary bishop, The Right Revd George Smith, first Anglican Bishop of Victoria, for many years and contributed the biographical entry on the bishop in both the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and the Dictionary of Hong Kong Biography.

Dr Verner Bickley, MBE, FRSA, formerly an Assistant Director of Education in Hong Kong and Chairman Emeritus of the English-Speaking Union (Hong Kong) will join his wife to give brief readings from the first uncensored edition of the Bishop’s travels, recently published as Journeys with a Mission; Travel Journals of The Right Revd George Smith (1815 - 1871), first Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong (1849-1865).

Time: Reception opens 6:30 p.m. Lecture starts at 7:00 p.m. 

Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to reserve your place and pay at the door