Wu Ting-Fang
a Chinese diplomatist; born in Hsin-hui, district of Kwangtung, China; studied Chinese literature and classics together with English in Canton, and took a law course in England in 1874-1877. On his return to China he directed the construction of the first railroad in his native land; was the first secretary of the Chinese commission to negotiate with Japan in 1895; and was afterward a plenipotentiary to ratify the treaty. He was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States, Peru, and Spain in May, 1897. While residing in Washington he became very popular. In 1900 the degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the University of Pennsylvania. He was the author of numerous articles on China in American magazines. He took a prominent part in the revolution which overthrew the Manchu dynasty, and was active in the political movements of the following years.