C. P. Fitzgerald Explained

Charles Patrick Fitzgerald
Birth Name:Karl Patrick Van Hoogstraten
Birth Date:5 March 1902
Birth Place:London, England, United Kingdom
Death Place:Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Fields:History
Workplaces:Australian National University
Known For:East Asian studies (focus on China)

Charles Patrick Fitzgerald (5 March 190213 April 1992) was a British historian and writer whose academic career occurred mostly in Australia. He was a professor of East Asian studies with particular focus on China.[1]

Early life and education

Fitzgerald was born in London, England.[1] His parents were Hans Sauer, a migrant from Cape Colony.[1] and his Irish-born wife Cecile Josephine, née Fitzpatrick.

Unable to attend university as his family could not afford the fees, he obtained a job in a bank. After becoming interested in East Asia and the political developments there, he studied for a diploma in Chinese at the University of London's School of Oriental Studies.[2]

Career

He first visited China at age 21, and subsequently lived and worked there for over 20 years.[3] Between 1946 and 1950 he worked there for the British Council.[1] After leaving China, Fitzgerald was invited to Australia by Douglas Copland, who had been Australian Minister to China (1946-1948).[4] [5] Fitzgerald served as a Reader in Far Eastern History at the Research School of Pacific (and Asian) Studies at the Australian National University, located in Canberra, Australia, from 1951 to 1953.[1] He later became the first Professor of Far Eastern History, from 1953 to 1967.[1]

He was a foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1969.[6]

Personal life

Fitzgerald married Pamela Sara Knollys on 15 February 1941 at Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England. They had three daughters.[2]

He died in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1992.[1]

Writings

Fitzgerald's best-known book, China: A Short Cultural History (London: The Cresset Press, 1935; edited by C. P. Seligman), has been reprinted and revised several times. He authored many other books and articles, including:[7]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MS5189 - Fitzgerald's Papers. Australian National Library. 23 August 2010. 9 September 1996. Australian National Library.
  2. Rafe de Crespigny, Fitzgerald, Charles Patrick (1902–1992), Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  3. Wang Gungwu, "In Memoriam: Professor C. P. Fitzgerald 1902–1992", The Australian Journal of Chinese Affairs, Issue 29, January 1993, pages 161-163. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  4. Book: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fitzgerald-charles-patrick-382. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Fitzgerald, Charles Patrick (1902–1992). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  5. [Geremie R. Barmé]
  6. https://www.humanities.org.au/about-us/establishment/ The Academy's Early Days
  7. http://www.humanities.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/AAH-Obit-FitzGerald-1992.pdf Charles Patrick Fitzgerald, 1902–1992