ANN ARBOR—A gift from the Kao family of more than 700 volumes of classic Chinese books enables the University of Michigan’s Asia Library to continue as one of the premiere Asia libraries outside Asia. The works cover history, fiction, Chinese calligraphy, and poetry, as well as rare Chinese translations of works by Western authors such as Dickens, Dumas, Hugo, Defoe, and Scott.

U-M’s connection with China was established during U-M President James B. Angell’s tenure (1871-1909). While those before him had concentrated on establishing the University first, as a statewide and then nationwide power, Angell strove to establish worldwide recognition of the University. Angell began work towards this goal as a U.S. government appointee as Minister Plenipotentiary to Peking. After returning to the United States in 1882, Angell’s connection to China made U-M a hub for Chinese students.

Among those students was Luen King Kao who earned a bachelor’s degree from U-M in 1912. He was one of the first Chinese scholars sponsored through a prestigious government scholarship. Later, L.K. Kao’s son, Irving Kao, a 1957 graduate of U-M, served the library as head of serial acquisitions for many years. Irving’s wife, Helen, an alumna of U-M, served as an editor of the Middle English Dictionary Project at the University. Finally, Irving Kao’s son, Walter, graduated from U-M in 1979.

To honor their father, Leun King Kao, and their eldest brother, Keh Ding Kao (the family’s book collector), George and Irving Kao gave this gift of important and rare books to U-M’s Asia Library. The gift also recognizes the commitment the University has made to Chinese students generally.

From the gift, Weiying Wan, head of the Asia Library, finds the 15 classical fiction titles particularly important. One of the most impressive pieces is a 1695 first edition of the classic work “Chin p’ing mei,” which Wan describes as a “pioneering work of realistic literature, depicting the social life of 17th century China. The work has long engaged scholarly interest in the West.”

For more information about the Kao Collection or the Asia Library, visit the Asia Library’s Web site at http://asia.lib.umich.edu/index.htm.

Asia Libraryhttp://asia.lib.umich.edu/index.htm