Mr. Hsia Ching-kuan is a native of Kiangsu and was a provincial graduate in the Ching Dynasty. He is a scholar whose literary attainments and writings have for a long time been admired by the Chinese. After many years of active service in his native province, Mr. Hsia came to Shanghai and was made director of Fuhtan college (now Fuhtan University) and the China National Institute. In these positions he made it possible for many young people to receive an education to fit them for life work. When the Republic was established, Mr. Hsia became an editor with the Commercial Press, which post be held for a number of years. In December 1919, Mr. Hsia was appointed Commissioner of Education for the province of Chekiang. In February 1921, he was awarded the Third Class Chiaho. In 1922, Mr. Hsia was relieved from the post of Commissioner of Education of Chekiang, and in September was appointed principal librarian of the Metropolitan Library, Peking. In the spring of 1923, Mr. Hsia returned to Chekiang again where he was appointed by General Lu Yung-hsiang to be director of the Cigarette Tax Bureau.
