Robert Morton: A Life of Sir Harry Parkes



I had come across writings about Sir Harry Parkes in the past, including when I read
Isabella Bird's 'Unbeaten Tracks in Japan' about her travels in Japan, as well as in books
about past British diplomats from 'The Japan Society'. However, I realised how little I knew
about him when I read this biography.

Although born in a reasonably well-off family, he was orphaned. As a result his 'working'
life began early and he was in China when he was only fourteen. That was the beginning
of a rise to the highest diplomatic posts in China and Japan and involvement in hugely
important events which connected those countries with Britain, particularly the Second
Opium War and the 'opening up' of Japan after the Meiji Restoration. He learned Chinese,
which helped make him relatively indispensable and as the writer indicates, he "always
understood what was happening in Japan far better than any other foreign representatives
(p.264)."

He was someone of his time, seen as paternalistic in dealing with those Asian countries and
working from a point of view of British Empire era superiority. He was described as someone
who was tenacious (didn't give up) and could seem to be arrogant in asserting such ideas of
superiority, especially in insisting on the higher status of Queen Victoria when dealing with
royalty, as he did in China, Japan and Korea.

He was a workaholic, who found it difficult to relax. That combined with the effects of tropical
disease could have led to his death at 57, although that was not unusual for those who had
diplomatic posting in locations challenging with challenging climates. He was not always
popular with his subordinates and offended many people he dealt with. However, the biography
shows how he loved his wife and family, although they were often far apart. He also involved
his wife in the work he did and she reciprocated with interest and involvement.

Particularly in his earlier years, his life was 'exciting', with attacks and excitement and he appeared
to show no fear! He was also ready to be 'hands on' and not 'stand on ceremony', as shown when
he was ready to demonstrate a system to allow a bosun's (a petty officer on a ship) chair to move
across water from one shore to another. As the writer says, "It seems extraordinary for a man of
Parkes' rank to have submitted himself to this - a Japanese official would not have dreamt of doing
anything like that." (p.200-201). He was, after all, Sir Harry Parkes, successively British Minister
to Japan and British Minister to China.

It was good to discover about his life. At the time, he was honoured with a knighthood and
after his death a memorial was unveiled in London (at St Paul's Cathedral) and a statue in Shanghai
(melted down during World War 2), but he has faded into the past. Therefore, this biography
does much to recognise his importance.

See other books which I have read.

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