Tan Teck Soon

Tan Teck Soon was born in 1859 in Singapore. First scholar to be awarded the Guthrie scholarship for the Chinese in 1873, educated at Raffles Institution, well known for his literary accomplishments, his father Tan See Boo founded the first Chinese Gospel Hall in Singapore with Alexander Grant in 1862; He died Nov. 25, 1922.

Synopsis

Chinese scholar and writer who was active in Singapore at the turn of the 20th century. He was a founding member of the Straits Philosophical Society (1893-1916), a gentlemen's debating club, and one of only two Chinese members. He was editor and proprietor (1890-1894) of the Daily Advertiser newspaper and general manager of a Chinese daily, "Thien Nan Shin Pao" (1898-1905). He wrote and presented papers at the Straits Philosophical Society and contributed articles in the Straits Chinese Magazine. He was the son of Presbyterian and later Plymouth Brethren missionary and preacher, Tan See Boo.

Achievement

His most notable contribution as an intellect and writer was in reconceptualizing Chinese civilization as progressive and open to change, which challenged the prevailing Western idea that Chinese civilization was antiquated and not progressive.

Sources

• Bio of Tan See Boo by Lee Hwee Hoon from 2010;
• Tan Teck Soon snippet by unknown author;