T. Strong Yen

Mr. T. Strong Yen, who since his marriage, according to Chinese custom, has of been Mr. Yen Te Ching, is head of the Ministry Communication and Director-General of the Peking-Hankow and the Canton and Szechuen-Hannow Railways. (1)

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William W. Yen

His brother, Dr. Williams W. Yen was Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet of President Hsu-Shih-Chang. (2)

Going to College (UVA)

On September 25th 2017, a dormitory in the University of Virginia’s International Residential College has been renamed after W. W. Yen. The former Lewis House is now Yen House. W. W. Dr. Yen is the first international student to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia. (4)

At UVA, Dr. Yen studied arts and law from 1897 to 1900. During the time he was at UVA, he won medals and other prizes for English composition, debating, and general proficiency. In June of 1899, Dr. Yen was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. (6)

After College (UVA)

After earning his diploma, Dr. Yen went on to live a very influential life. (2) He returned to China in 1900 and became the Professor of English and Literature at St. John's University, Shanghai. He also accepted the offer of the Commercial Press to serve as an English editor. (6)

During his time in Shanghai, Dr. Yen became interested in student and social activities. Dr. Yen was one of the founders of the World's Chinese Students' Foundation as Honoary Secretary. He was a member of the Committees of the Educational Association of China and the Anti-Foot-Binding Society, and of other associations that promoted civil welfare and social reform. (6)

In 1906, Dr. Yen recieved his degree of Doctor of Literature from the Imperial Government at Peking University. Two years later, in 1908, Dr. Yen became the Second Secreatary of the Chinese LEgation at Washington. In 1909, Dr. Yen was called to Peking to organize a press bureau. Then in 19011, Dr. Yen was admitted to the Hanlin Academy of China and he was also appointed Councillor to the MIinistry of Foreign Affairs. After various promotions, Dr. Yen became the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs ni 1912. (6)

Dr. Yen was China’s first ambassador to the Soviet Union and a delegate to the League of Nations. Dr. Yen was also China’s premier for five terms. During his last premiership in 1926, he also served as acting president. He was also influential in the founding and establishment of Tsinghua University in Beijing. (2)

Dr. Williams W. Yen was initilaly the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet of President Hsu-Shih-Chang. When the president was forced to resign, Dr. Yen was asked by President Hsu to act as the President. In the summer of 1922, President Hsu resgined. (3)In August 1923, Dr. Yen was elected Chairman of the Commission for the Adjustment of National Finance. In April 1924, he was made Chairman of the Red Cross Society of China. In January 1924, he was elected Premier of the Republic of China, and, concurrently, Minister of Home Affairs. (6) Dr. Yen plaayed an important part in the reconstruction of the government during the 1920s. Only the unsetteled condition of China at the time prevented Dr. Yen from going to the Washington Naval Conference in 1921-1922. (1) During the Conference, the world's largest naval powers gathered in Washington, D.C. for a conference to discuss naval disarmnet and ways to relieve growing tensions in East Asia. (3)