Korea's Friend

A special invitation to the inauguration of the newly formed Korean Republic on August 15 was cabled to Dr. Homer B. Hulbert '84 by Korean President Syngman Rhee, in honor of Hulbert's "lone fight for Korea's cause all these years." Dr. Hulbert, the father of William C. Hulbert '18, was sent by our State Department to Korea in 1886 at the request of the Korean Emperor to assist in the establishment of a school system and remained twenty-one years.

On the eve of Korea's annexation by Japan in 1907, Hulbert went to the Hague and Washington as the Emperor's private envoy in an effort to persuade the U. S. to intercede in behalf of the Korean people. When this attempt failed and Korea fell into Japanese hands, Hulbert returned to this country to record the lost cause of Korean independence in his book ThePassing of Korea.

His years in Korea included extensive government work and service as personal adviser to the Emperor. A celebrated Korean scholar, Hulbert has written an authoritative history of Korea in English, Chinese, and Japanese; has done pioneer research among the ancient books and manuscripts of Korea; and has lectured throughout the U. S. on the aims and traditions of the Korean people.

Although their advanced age prevented Dr. and Mrs. Hulbert from accepting the invitation from Syngman Rhee, both expressed great gratification in the reality of a free Korea.