Calvin Wilson Mateer
Missionary and educator in Shandong, China
About Calvin Wilson Mateer
Lived 1836 – 1908 (aged 72). Calvin Wilson Mateer was an American translator, bible translator, author, missionary and mission (Christian), known for China.
Calvin Wilson Mateer (, sometimes misspelt "Matteer") (9 January 1836 – 28 September 1908) was a missionary to China with the American Presbyterian Mission. He was of Scottish-Irish descent and a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Western Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh. After serving with the Presbyterian church of Delaware, Ohio, for two years, he arrived in Dengzhou (today part of Penglai City, Shandong) with his wife Julia Brown Mateer in early January 1864 and continued to work as a missionary in China for 45 years.
He was the chairman of the committee for Bible translation and presided over the translation of the widely circulated Chinese translation of the Holy Bible, The Chinese Union Version.
In 1882, Mateer founded Tengchow College as the first modern institution of higher education in China. Tengchow College became a predecessor of Cheeloo University, and finally of Shandong University.
His Course of Mandarin Lessons, based on idiom, first published in 1892, was a popular text for learners, garnering four further editions by 1922.
He died in 1908 in Qingdao, China. Frederick W. Baller, Chauncey Goodrich, Calvin Wilson Mateer, and Spencer Lewis, their respective Chinese language assistants on their left
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Family & relationships
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Calvin Wilson Mateer?
missionary and educator in Shandong, China
When was Calvin Wilson Mateer born?
Calvin Wilson Mateer was born on 9 January 1836 in Pennsylvania.
When did Calvin Wilson Mateer die?
Calvin Wilson Mateer died on 28 September 1908 in Qingdao.
What was Calvin Wilson Mateer's occupation?
Calvin Wilson Mateer was a translator, bible translator, author, missionary and mission (Christian).
What was Calvin Wilson Mateer known for?
Calvin Wilson Mateer was known for China.
What nationality was Calvin Wilson Mateer?
Calvin Wilson Mateer was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Calvin Wilson Mateer
· DBpedia: Calvin Wilson Mateer
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Calvin Wilson Mateer. https://biography.guide/calvin-wilson-mateer/
MLA: "Calvin Wilson Mateer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/calvin-wilson-mateer/.
Chicago: "Calvin Wilson Mateer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/calvin-wilson-mateer/.
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