Ts'o Seen Wan

Tso Seen-wan, (, 10 November 1868 – 20 January 1953), also Ts'o Seen Wan, S. W. Tso or S. W. Ts'o, was a distinguished Hong Kong lawyer, politician, businessman and educationalist.

Formerly served in Legislative Council, Sanitary Board and District Watch Force, Tso greatly contributed to Hong Kong's education and medical care in the early 20th century. He raised fund for several colleges, including the University of Hong Kong, and co-founded Alice Memorial Hospital and Ho Miu Ling Hospital.

Early years

Tso Seen-wan was born on 10 November 1868 in Portuguese Macau with ancestral hometown in Heungshan, Kwangtung, eldest son of Tso Wai-chuen , a well-known merchant of that territory who was the first Chinese in Macau decorated by the King of Portugal with the Insignia of "Comenda de Nossa Senhora da Conceição", who also received the Honorary title of the 2nd Degree with the Red Button and Peacock's Feather conferred on him by Guangxu, the Emperor of China, in 1880. In due time he passed his law examinations and was connected with well-known law firms and was enrolled as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England before returning to Hong Kong in 1897 where he set up his own law practice after recognised as solicitor in Hong Kong. He was joined by P. M. Hodgson in 1927 under the firm name of Messrs. Ts'o and Hodgson. Through his association with two leading members of the Chinese community, Ho Kai and Wei Yuk, he soon became a leader in the public affairs of the Colony of Hong Kong.

Social services

Educational Tso actively contributed to local social services, with chief interest in educational, especially Western education, and medical work among the Chinese. He advocated the foundation of Government Vernacular Middle School, the first Chinese language government school opened in 1926. Tso co-founded Munsang College in Kowloon during the development of Kai Tak in 1926, served as the chairman-for-life of the college council until his death.

Another major contribution to the education is the founding of the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Tso was the Honorary Secretary of the 1909-created Chinese sub-committee to raise the Endowment Fund,

In April 1920, Tso was appointed to the Board of Education of Hong Kong soon after its creation by Governor Stubbs, and served until April 1940.

Medical In the early colonial era, Chinese were inaccessible to Western medical service due to the limited hospitals in the colony. Tso therefore urged the expansion of hospital service. Tso was named as the supervisor of the new hospital thereafter. Tso organised policing on street during the large-scale strike. He was chosen as Po Leung Kuk director-for-life and vice-chairman of newly-established Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children in the same year; as vice-chairman of Hong Kong Playground Association and head of Hong Kong Rotary Club in 1933. His comments received large criticism by the Chinese. Tso was awarded with Order of the British Empire in 1928 and CBE in 1935 Birthday Honours. In 1937, Tso, once a member for Edward VII and George V coronation celebration committee in 1902 and 1911, Chief Justice Gerard Lewis Howe, Attorney General Arthur Ridehalgh, Chairperson of Bar Association Leo d'Almada e Castro lead the tributes paid to Tso.

He was made Justice of the Peace in 1918. He was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by King George VI in 1928 and Commander of the same Order in 1935.

Awards

Commander of the British Empire