Liu Mingchuan
| Liu Mingchuan | |
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Liu Mingchuan
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| Governor of Taiwan | |
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In office 1884–1891 |
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| Preceded by | position created, Taiwan previously part of Fujian province |
| Succeeded by | Shao Youlian |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
7 September 1836 Hefei, Anhui, Qing Empire |
| Died | 21 January 1896 (aged 59) Hefei, Anhui, Qing Empire |
| Awards | Created Baron First Class, Order of Succession (一等男爵, 世襲), 1868 |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | "Pockmark-faced Liu" (劉麻子) |
| Allegiance | Qing Empire |
| Service/branch | Huai Army |
| Years of service | 1853–1868; 1884–1885 |
| Rank | Captain-General |
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| Battles/wars |
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| Liu Mingchuan | |||||||||
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| Literal meaning | 3rd Visitor | ||||||||
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| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Liú Míngchuán |
| Wade–Giles | Liu Ming-ch‘uan |
| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Xǐngsān |
| Wade–Giles | Hsing-san |
Liu Mingchuan (1836–1896), courtesy name Xingsan, was a Chinese official who lived in the mid-Qing dynasty. He was born in Hefei, Anhui. Liu became involved in the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion at an early age, and worked closely with Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang as he emerged as an important Huai Army officer. In the aftermath of the Sino-French War, he was appointed the first governor of the newly established Taiwan Province. Today he is remembered for his efforts in modernizing Taiwan during his tenure as governor, and several institutions have been given his name, including Ming Chuan University in Taipei.
Liu was born into a poor family of farmers at Hefei, Anhui Province, China. His father died when Liu was 11 years old. At age 18, Liu joined a local gang of bandits in the mountains, and at 20 he took part in the early Nien Rebellion. At 23 he changed his mind and joined the Huai Army, beginning his loyalty to the Qing Empire.
In 1859 (Xianfeng 9th Year), during the Taiping Rebellion, he built his hometown's army, encouraged people to join, and suppressed several rebellions of the Taiping Army. In 1861 (Xianfeng 11th Year), he led about 500 men to join Li Hongzhang's Huai Army. He was made the head of Ming Camp (銘字營), and went with Li to Shanghai to aid Charles George Gordon's army in defeating the Taiping Army. There he learned the use of Western firearms. In 1864 Huai Army commander Li Hongzhang and vice commander Liu attacked Changzhou to recover the city. Major General Liu was promoted to Colonel General and appointed to defend the capital at Beijing.
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Wikipedia