Dr. Ch'en Huan-chang, was born on Inkslab Island, Kwangtung, in 1881. Dr. Chen is a pupil of Kang Yu-wei, China's modern sage. Between 1899 and 1900 Dr. Chen was editor of a Chinese paper called the Chinese Reformer. In 1902 he was engaged by the Shih-ming High School as a professor of Chinese literature. A year later he was promoted to principal of the school. In 1905 Dr. Chen passed the metropolitan literary examinations in Peking and became a metropolitan graduate (Ph. D.). Soon afterwards, having received a government scholarship, he went to America to secure a modern education. Dr. Chen entered Columbia University, New York, and he was given a Ph. D. in 1911, his subject of Doctor's Dissertation was the "Economic Principles of Confucius and His School.” Dr. Chen returned to China in January of the same year and founded the National Confucian Association. He was elected President of the Association in 1912. In 1913 Dr. Ch'en was made a Legal Advisor to the President. At the same time he became editor of the Confucian Association Monthly. That year he tried every possible means to induce the Parliament to pass a bill proposing that Confucianism be made the State Religion of China. His efforts failed as a result of the opposition of the Christian and Mohammedan members of the Parliament. Dr. Ch'en was also a member of the Tuchun's or the New Parliament which was assembled in Peking in August 1918. In January 1920 Dr. Ch'en was conferred the Third Order of Wenfu. After the dissolution of the Second Parliament following the Chihli-Anfu War in July 1920, Dr. Ch'en became divisor to both the President and the Premier which positions he is still holding. In January 1923 Dr. Ch'en was conferred the Second Order of Tashou Paokuang Chiaho and in March the Second Order of Wenfu.
