The Times/1913/Obituary/Robert Kennaway Douglas

SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS

Sir Robert Kennaway Douglas, the Orientalist, died at his house, Stonelea, Acton Turville, Chippenham, on Tuesday, in his 75th year.

Sir Robert Douglas was the son of the Rev. Philip W. Douglas and was educated at Blandford Grammar School. At the age of 20 he received an appointment in the Chinese Consular Service, and after a stay of seven years in the East, during which he devoted himself keenly to the study of Oriental literature, he retired from his post, and on his return to England was appointed Assistant in Charge of the Chinese Library at the British Museum. In this capacity he had served for 28 years when he was promoted to be Keeper of the Oriental Books and MSS., a position which he held until 1907, when he retired. He was also Professor of Chinese in King's College, London, of which he as Fellow from 1903 to 1908. After he had been about ten years in the British Museum he published a book on the language and literature of China, and two years afterwards he wrote on Confucianism and Taoism. Among his later publications were "The Life of Li Hung-chang," "Chinese Stories," and "Europe and the Far East."

Sir Robert Douglas married in 1866 Rachael, daughter of Mr. Kirkby Fenton, of Caldecote Hall, Warwickshire.

The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock on Saturday.