Sir Robert Hart, an Irishman and Queen’s graduate, was a key figure in 19th century China. As Inspector General of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs from 1863 to 1908, he wielded significant influence and made a substantial contribution to China’s early modernisation and its foreign relations with the West. Hart’s position was unique because his role facilitated regular access to officials in the Grand Council and Zongli Yaman (forerunner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), thus influencing internal reform and external relationships. He was employed by the Chinese authorities and not the Western powers during a pivotal period in China’s history. <br>&nbsp<br> Hart’s life is marked by strong personal commitment to achievement – whether at school, university or as IG. His successful career in China is often attributed to his sympathetic understanding of Chinese tradition and its influence on society and culture. Hart’s life and career is of immense interest to scholars of Western and Chinese history due to the international nature of the Customs Service in his time.

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Sir Robert Hart, c. 1910 (Special Collections & Archives, QUB - MS 15/6/1/B33)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Sir Robert Hart 1835 - 1911

Special Collections at Queen’s University Belfast holds a substantial collection of personal and official papers relating to Hart’s official duties and experiences during his long career as Inspector General of China’s Imperial Maritime Customs Service. Particularly significant is the long series of 77 personal journals which Hart kept between 1854 and 1908. Running from when he first entered the Chinese administration, the diaries record many personal anecdotes and reminiscences about his life and work in China. <br>&nbsp<br>The collection also contains over 7000 letters dating from 1899 to 1911, 20 photograph albums, 170 glass slides, and 700 individual black and white photographs. The majority of the letters are personal correspondence with family, while some have a bearing on customs affairs. A substantial number of the photographs are of family and Customs officials, although there are many of note with regards China more generally. Other items of interest include a set of notes and papers detailing Hart’s experiences and analysis of the Boxer disturbances in Peking 1900.

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A selection of letters from the Hart Collection (MS15/4)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Sir Robert Hart was born 20th February 1835 at 42 Woodhouse Street, Portadown. His parents were Henry Hart (1806-1875) and Ann Edgar. He was the eldest of a family of twelve children. The Harts were a middle-class Ulster family with a background in distilling, shop-keeping and farming. The family moved from Portadown to Lisburn where they settled at Ravarnette House for a number of years.

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Hart Family, Ireland, c.1866 (MS15/6/1/A1)

Special Collections, QUB.

42 Woodhouse Street, Portadown

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Early School (Somerset & Dublin)

Robert Hart was 10 years old when he left home for the first time. He travelled to England to the Wesleyan School at Taunton, Somerset. At the end of the school year Robert was sent home from Taunton unaccompanied. His father was furious after he was sent home unaccompanied and decided to send his son to Wesley Connexional School, Dublin - not quite so far away from home. He stayed there from 1846 till 1850.

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Sir Robert Hart and Lady Hart attending Speech Day at Queen's College Taunton (formerly the West of England Wesleyan Proprietary Grammar School until 1887) on 16th October 1908 (MS15/6/1C/04)

Special Collections, QUB.

Wesley Connexional School, Dublin

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Hart was 15 years old (1850) when he came to the newly founded Queen’s College, Belfast. He distinguished himself by starting each academic year with a scholarship and finishing each year with a prize. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts when he was just 18 years old, he was the only candidate awarded a graduate scholarship in Modern languages to the value of £40 for the academic year 1853-54. In 1854 the British Foreign Office sent a circular to the Queen’s Colleges in Ireland (Galway, Belfast and Cork), requesting nominees to expand the consular service in China and Japan. Robert Hart was one of 36 men from Queen’s College, Belfast to put their names forward for consideration. The College Council nominated Hart, and on the 13th April 1854 he was appointed to the post of Supernumeracy Interpreter in China.

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Sir Robert Hart c.1854 (MS 15/6/1/B1)

Special Collections, QUB.

Queen's University Belfast

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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With £100 for his passage Robert Hart set sail for China. He was 19 years old. Hart sailed from Southampton to Alexandria and travelled via the Nile, Cairo and Suez before finally arriving in Hong Kong. An altogether different world and a long way from Ireland. Western knowledge about China was limited in 1854. Some information was available through the 5 Treaty Ports opened after the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 and from earlier generations of Christian missionaries.

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Sir Robert Hart, c. 1860 (MS15/6/1/B/02)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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British Consulate, Ningpo

British consular staff in Hong Kong and the Treaty Ports were responsible for promoting Britain’s trading interests in China. Hart spent his first 3 months in Hong Kong as a Student Interpreter and was then appointed to the British Consulate at Ningpo, where he remained until March 1858.

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Opening page of Vol. 2 of Sir Robert Hart's diary: MS/15/1/2/003. <br>&nbsp<br>'Vol. 2. From Feby 18th 1855 to 29 July 1855. "My Life in China" being the second volume of my journal. Vol. II comenced [sic] February 18th 1855. "West End", British Consulate, Ningpo. Robert Hart, A.B. & Double First Queen's University, Ireland, and ex-sch. & ex-sci-sch. Q Coll: Belfast.'

Special Collections, QUB.

British Consulate, Ningpo

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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British Consulate, Canton

From Ningpo he moved on to Canton, initially as Secretary to the Allied Commission responsible for governing the city during the Anglo-French occupation. He then became an interpreter at the British Consulate in Canton in October 1858.

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View of Canton City, c. 1905

Special Collections, QUB.

British Consulate, Canton

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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During his early years in China, Robert Hart had a long-term intimate relationship with Ayaou, a Chinese girl. Though little is known about her, it is believed that Ayaou may have helped Hart develop a close understanding of Chinese traditions and culture. Hart and Ayaou had three children together; Anna (b. 1858/59), Herbert (b. 1862) and Arthur (b. 1865).

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Portrait of Sir Robert Hart, 1866 (MS 15/6/1/B3)

Special Collections, QUB.

British Consulate, Canton

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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In May 1859 Robert Hart resigned from the British Consular Service. The Canton Viceroy, Laou Tsung Kwang asked him to join the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs (CIMC). He was appointed Deputy-Commissioner at Canton. The Chinese Imperial Maritime Service was 4 years old. In 1861, H. N. Lay, the Inspector General of the CIMC, returned to England on leave for 2 years. Robert Hart and George Henry Fitz-Roy were appointed as Officiating Inspector-Generals during this time. This gave Hart an opportunity to expand his experience and show his ability.

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Customs House (MS 15/6/5/11)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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From Commisioner to Inspector General

When Lay returned in May 1863 Hart was made Commissioner at Shanghai, with responsibility for the Yangtsze ports. This post was created for Hart by Prince Kung. As a result of a badly managed transaction (the Sherard Osborne affair), H. N. Lay, the Inspector-General, was dismissed by the Chinese authorities. Robert Hart was appointed Inspector-General of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs in November 1863. He was 28 years old.

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Shanghai Customs, 1903 (MS15/6/11G/42).

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Being Inspector General

In his role, Hart was responsible to the Chinese government (his employer) for the operating of the Customs Service. Hart wielded enormous power as Inspector-General (I. G.) of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs. His post was a delicate balance of organisational skill and diplomacy, often negotiating with American and European authorities who all had major interests in China. Under Hart’s guidance, the Customs Service expanded and contributed to the modernization of China. By the end of the 19th century it was responsible for the Chinese Imperial Postal Service, port development, inland and coastal waterways, as well as collecting revenue.

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Yochow Custom House, Opening Day, 30th April 1901 (MS 15/6/5/9)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Writing in his diary on Christmas Eve, 1963, Hart reflected on his appointment: ‘I feel sad and dispirited : and why? My life has been singularly successful; not yet twenty-nine, and at the head of a service which collects nearly three millions of revenue, in, - of all countries in the world! – the exclusive land of China, and in a position which can be easily abused for evil, but which too may be so taken advantage of as to cause great good’

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Diary entry Christmas Eve 1863 (MS 15/1/4/160)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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In 1866, after twelve years in China, Hart returned home to Ireland on leave. Whilst on leave he met and married Hester (Hessie) Jane Bredon, also from Portadown. She was nineteen years old and must have had a keen interest in adventure and travel. After a brief honeymoon in Killarney the couple sailed for China.

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Hessie, 1903 (MS15/6/1D/05)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Hessie remained in China until March 1876, when she returned to Europe with their two children – a daughter, Evelyn Amy (Evey) and a son, Edgar Bruce. Hart was reunited with his family in Paris in 1878 when he travelled there for the international exhibition as President of the Chinese Commission.

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Hart Family, c. 1878 (MS15/6/1/C1)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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The family returned to China in Spring 1879, leaving Evey at school in Dublin. Hart’s second daughter, Mabel Milburne (Nollie) was born in November, 1879.

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Nollie (Mabel Milburne), 1906 (MS 15/6/1/F8)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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The Hart Family Returns to Europe

However, in 1882 Hessie and the children returned to Europe – this time for good. Robert Hart was not to see his wife again until she came to visit with Nollie in 1906, when they spent 3 months in Peking. He was preoccupied with his work and hoped that Lady Hart and Nollie wouldn’t remain too long in China as he prepared for retirement: “for I want to be alone to attend to the hundred and one things ‘winding up’ will involve.”

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Hart Family, c.1888 (MS15/6/1D/2a)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Lifestyle - Correspondence

Hart was a busy man, he worked hard, read a lot and corresponded widely. Despite their extended time apart, Hart wrote to his wife regularly. Hart also wrote to his agent James D. Campbell every Sunday, as well as to many relatives and friends. Hart’s letters to Campbell dealt with all aspects of his life: the business of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs service and his personal finances, as well as family matters.

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Chinese Customs'. Original drawing by IMP for cartoon published in Vanity Fair, 27 December 1894 (MS 15/6/1/B8)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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During the nineteenth century, foreign powers sought ever-greater influence in China. These pressures frequently boiled over into conflicts, notably the Opium Wars, in which China’s forces were hopelessly outclassed by the foreign militaries. The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-colonial uprising by a revolutionary group known as the Boxers which took place between 1899 and 1901. Opposed to western influence in China, the Boxers murdered many foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians. In June 1900 the diplomatic legation in Peking was placed under siege by the Boxers. Railway lines were ripped up and telegraphic communication became impossible, isolating the legations from the outside world. On 20th June, the German Plenipotentiary Baron Klemens von Ketteler was murdered by the Boxers after he shot dead a Chinese boy. Shortly afterwards, the Boxers mounted a full onslaught on the legation residences.

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Tientsin (Tianjin) Cathedral after Boxer Rebellion, 1900 (MS 15/6/6/07)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Hart’s home and almost all its contents were destroyed by the Boxers during the legation onslaughts. The only items to be saved were his diaries and a few photo albums. On July 17th 1900, The Times newspaper announced Hart’s death. Hart, however, was quite unharmed. Confirmation that Hart was still alive and well eventually reached the outside world on August 5th when he sent a message to his tailor, via Campbell, requesting suits, morning and evening dress, boots and slippers as he had lost everything.

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Hart's home in Peking after the Boxer Rebellion, 1901 (MS 15/6/6/01)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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The Boxer Rebellion ended on August 14th with the arrival of the international army. The Empress and her imperial court fled. A series of protracted negotiations resulted in the Boxer Protocol, a settlement reached between China and the foreign legations involved in the siege. Robert Hart was involved in secret negotiations during the siege and also in the formulation of the Boxer Protocol. China lost no territory, but was no longer financially independent, huge loans were arranged – Chinese Indemnities. In the months following, Hart wrote a series of articles for publication in western journals giving his thoughts and recommendations concerning the Boxer rebellion.

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Photograph of European representatives - Boxer Protocol, 7th September 1901 (MS15/6/4/21)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Hart enjoyed company and entertained regularly at garden parties, soirées, and dinner parties. On Wednesday afternoons in particular Hart was “At home” to receive his friends. Writer and traveller, Gertrude Bell, a dinner guest, wrote to her father, 3 May 1903, “There was an enormous party, 16, Sir Robert’s invariable number. Everything is done according to an established order which has lasted 50 years.”

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Garden Party, 25 October 1906 (MS 15/6/9/3)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Robert Hart did permit himself one other indulgence – his private band. He ordered the instruments and music from London. The band was popular in expatriate society in Beijing and in great demand.. Hart derived much pleasure from the band and its activities – he remarked in a letter to Campbell, “My Peking Band (all Pekingese 16 to 19 years old, and fourteen of them) is doing very well, and it is about the only thing I am interested in apart from work.”

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Sir Robert Hart’s Brass Band, 23 October 1907 (MS 15/6/9/9)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Campbell, Hart’s close friend and colleague in CIMC’s London office, died on December 3rd 1907. Hart applied for leave of absence a month later. Sir Robert Hart left his desk at the Inspectorate on April 13th, 1908. He returned to England and settled near Great Marlow. He received many honours in the course of his career some of which include the Ancestral Rank of the First Class of the First Order for Three Generations, with Letters Patent, China; Baronet, Great Britain; Commander of the Order of Pius IX, Holy See.

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Sir Robert Hart, Shanghai, 1 May 1908. Guard of honour for Sir Robert on his quitting China (MS 15/6/6/2)

Special Collections, QUB.

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Pro-Chancellor of Queen's

Sir Robert Hart was Pro-Chancellor of Queen’s University, Belfast from 1908- 1911. When University Senate met for the first time on 4th December 1908 it was under the Chairmanship of Sir Robert Hart.

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Sir Robert Hart, c. 1900 (MS 15/6/1/B13a)

Special Collections, QUB.

Queen's University Belfast

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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Hart died on 20th September, 1911. He is buried at Bisham on the Thames.

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1912 Photograph of a rough model of proposed statue of Sir Robert Hart. Sent with covering letter to Sir Edgar Bruce by R. Ch. Guernier of Paris (MS 15/6/1/B35)

Special Collections, QUB.

Bisham on the Thames, UK

Special Collections, Queen's University Belfast

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