Horace Grant Underwood

Not to be confused with Grant Underwood or Horace Grant.

Horace Grant Underwood
Underwood in 1888
Born(1859-07-19)July 19, 1859
London, United Kingdom
DiedOctober 12, 1916(1916-10-12) (aged 57)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Resting place
Known forEarly missionary in Korea, founding school that became Yonsei University
Notable workThe Call of Korea
Korean name
Hangul
호레스 그랜트 언더우드
Revised RomanizationHoraeseu Geuraenteu Eondeoudeu
McCune–ReischauerHoresŭ Kŭraent'ŭ Ŏndŏudŭ
Won Du-u
Hangul
원두우
Hanja
Revised RomanizationWon Du-u
McCune–ReischauerWon Tu-u

Horace Grant Underwood (19 July 1859 – 12 October 1916) was an American Presbyterian missionary, educator, and translator who dedicated his life to developing Christianity in Korea.[1]

Early life

Underwood was born in London, England, United Kingdom and immigrated to the United States at age 12. He graduated from New York University in 1881 and New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1884.

Work in Korea

It is said that Underwood was moved by a letter from Lee Soo-jung (the first translator of the Bible into Korean) published in an American Bible Society publication, which inspired him to commit to missionary work in Korea.[2] Underwood served as a Northern Presbyterian Church missionary in Korea, teaching physics and chemistry at Gwanghyewon in Seoul, the first modern hospital of Korea.[3] Underwood arrived in Korea on the same boat as Henry G. Appenzeller on Easter Sunday (5 April) 1885, and he also worked with Henry Appenzeller, William B. Scranton, James Scarth Gale, and William D. Reynolds[4] to translate the Bible into Korean. The New Testament was completed in 1900 and the Old Testament in 1910. Underwood also worked with Horace N. Allen, an American missionary doctor attached to the royal court. In 1900, Underwood and James Scarth Gale established the Seoul YMCA, and in 1912 Underwood became the president of the Pyeongtaek University established by Arthur Tappan Pierson (평택대학교, 구 피어선기념성경학교). The same year Underwood became the president of the Joseon Christian College (경신학교; 儆新學校), the predecessor of Yonsei University. Underwood wrote several books on Korea, including The Call of Korea.[5]

Death

In 1916, Underwood returned to the US due to failing health, but he died shortly thereafter in Atlantic City. He was originally buried at Grove Church Cemetery[6] in North Bergen, New Jersey, but in 1999 his remains were reinterred in the Yanghwajin Foreigners' Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea.

Personal life

Lillias Horton Underwood

Underwood's older brother, John T. Underwood, a typewriter entrepreneur based in New York, helped finance Horace Grant's missionary endeavours. In 1889, Underwood married Lillias Horton (1851–1921), a doctor.

Underwood family legacy

Statue at Yonsei University

Underwood's legacy is visible at various Christian educational institutes in Seoul. There is a statue of Underwood in the centre of the Yonsei University campus, and the Underwood Activity Centre of Seoul Foreign School is dedicated to his grandson, Richard F. Underwood. Underwood's descendants continued to develop Korean society, religion, politics and education for over one hundred years.

His son, Horace Horton Underwood (1890–1951) continued the tradition of education and worked at Yonhi University, another predecessor of Yonsei University.

His grandson, Horace Grant Underwood II (1917–2004) who, among other notable achievements,[7] served as an interpreter in the Korean War armistice talks.[8]

His great-grandson, Horace Horton Underwood II (1942– ), served as a professor of English literature at Yonsei University.

The Underwood family is no longer involved with mission work but continues to serve in Korea at the US Embassy in Korea and in business.[9]

The New Brunswick Theological Seminary has an endowed chair in honour of Underwood for a professor specialising in Global Christianity and missions.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "언더우드 Horace Grant Underwood". Dusan Encyclopedia. Doosan Corporation. Retrieved 8 July 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ Baek, Jong Geun (21 August 2024). "이수정과 마가복음" [Lee Soo-jung and the Gospel of Mark]. Church and Faith. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  3. ^ Kim, Young-sik (5 August 2003). "Americans in Korea in the late 1800s". Association for Asia Research. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  4. ^ Brother Anthony of Taizé website, The Early Years of the RASKB: 1900-1920
  5. ^ "10 Most Remembered". The Korea Times. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  6. ^ "A Church for Hudson County - History".
  7. ^ The Korea Society Archived 5 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine 2002 VAN FLEET AWARD
  8. ^ U.S. Embassy Eulogy Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine TRIBUTE TO DR. HORACE GRANT UNDERWOOD
  9. ^ Korea Times Archived 24 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine Underwood Family Bids Farewell to Korea after 119 Years of Service
  10. ^ Reformed Church in America. "RCA Report of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary: Building a New Future for the Oldest Protestant Seminary in North America." Archived 27 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine (2013). Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  • Underwood, Horace G. (1908). The Call of Korea. Fleming H. Revell Co. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
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