Reginald Johnston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Reginald Johnston
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Johnston at the Forbidden City in 1924
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| Commissioner of Weihaiwei | |
| In office 1927–1930 |
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| Preceded by | Walter Russell Brown |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 October 1874 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 6 March 1938 (aged 63) Eilean Rìgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh Magdalen College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Known for | Tutor to Puyi, the last emperor of China |
Sir Reginald Fleming Johnston (13 October 1874 – 6 March 1938) was a British diplomat and government official. He is best known for being the personal teacher and advisor to Puyi, who was the last emperor of China. Johnston was also the last British Commissioner of Weihaiwei, a territory in China that was leased to Britain. His book, Twilight in the Forbidden City, was used to help create the famous movie The Last Emperor, which tells Puyi's life story.
Early Life and Travels
Reginald Johnston was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He went to the University of Edinburgh and then studied history at Magdalen College, Oxford.
In 1898, Johnston joined the British government service that worked in other countries, called the Colonial Service. His first job was in Hong Kong. In 1906, he moved to Weihaiwei, a British-leased territory on the coast of China. There, he worked as a District Officer. His bosses thought he was very hardworking and a skilled leader.
Johnston loved to travel and explore. In 1902, he explored parts of Southeast Asia, including what are now Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. In 1904, he visited other Chinese cities and even Korea. In 1906, he took a long journey from Peking (now Beijing) to Mandalay in Myanmar. He wrote a book about this trip in 1908. Johnston was very interested in Chinese culture and Buddhism. In 1908, he even met the 13th Dalai Lama, which was very rare for a Westerner at that time. He wrote several books about China during his time there.
Tutor to the Last Emperor
In 1919, Johnston was chosen by the British government to be the teacher for thirteen-year-old Puyi. He was picked because he knew so much about Chinese history and culture. At this time, Puyi was still living inside the Forbidden City in Peking, even though China had become a republic. He was still seen as an emperor, but he had no real power.
Johnston and an American woman named Isabel Ingram were the only foreigners allowed to live inside the inner court of the Qing dynasty's Forbidden City. Johnston was given important Chinese titles. He lived in both the Forbidden City and the New Summer Palace.
Johnston became more than just a teacher to Puyi; he became a friend to the lonely young emperor. Johnston noticed that many people in the imperial household were selling off valuable treasures. He helped Puyi get a bicycle, a telephone, and even eyeglasses, which Puyi badly needed. These things were new and exciting for the emperor.
In 1924, Puyi was forced to leave the Forbidden City. Johnston continued to advise him for a short time. Johnston then returned to his duties with the British government. In 1927, he became the Commissioner of Weihaiwei. He managed the territory until it was given back to China in 1930. Johnston tried to help Puyi find a safe place to live after leaving the Forbidden City. Puyi eventually went to the Japanese legation, even though Johnston had advised him against it.
Life After China
In 1931, Johnston became a professor of Chinese at the University of London. He worked at the School of Oriental and African Studies. In 1935, he gave his large collection of Chinese and East Asian books to the university. This library has over 16,000 books and is one of the best collections in the country.
Johnston stayed in touch with Puyi. In the 1930s, he hosted one of Puyi's sisters and her husband at his home in London. He even visited Puyi in Manchukuo in 1935.
Johnston retired in 1937. He bought a small island in Scotland called Eilean Rìgh. Puyi gave him special permission to fly the Imperial flag of Manchukuo on his island. This made it the only place outside of China to fly that flag. Johnston also created a Chinese-style garden on his island.
After a short illness, he passed away in Edinburgh in 1938. He had asked that no religious ceremony be held. His ashes were scattered on his island and in the nearby loch.
Published Works
Johnston's book Twilight in the Forbidden City (1934) shares his experiences living in Peking. This book was an important source for the movie The Last Emperor, which tells the story of Puyi's life. In the film, Johnston was played by the actor Peter O'Toole.
