William Edgar Geil facts for kids

Dr. William Edgar Geil, Age 37, a famous explorer

Dr. William Edgar Geil (born October 1, 1865, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania – died April 11, 1925, in Venice) was an amazing explorer, speaker, photographer, and author. He wrote 10 books about his many travels. He gave talks all over the world, showing pictures with a special projector called a lantern slide.

Dr. Geil is thought to be the first American to travel the entire 2,500-kilometer-long Ming section of the Great Wall of China. He also visited the Five Sacred Mountains of China, writing a book about them called The Sacred 5 of China. He became a true expert on Chinese culture and religion.

Early Life and Learning

William Edgar Geil was born on October 1, 1865, on his family farm in New Britain, Pennsylvania. He later moved to nearby Doylestown, where he went to public schools. He also studied at the Doylestown English and Classical Seminary and briefly at Lafayette College.

From a young age, William was very interested in religious topics. He became an active member of his church. He loved to study and learned a lot about the Bible and other important religious writings.

His Amazing Career

Speaking and Travel

Dr. William Edgar Geil, 1898

After college, William Geil became well-known for his speaking skills. He started working as an evangelist, which means he traveled to share religious messages. Soon, he took several trips to Europe. He visited places like Egypt, the Holy Land, and many old cities around the Mediterranean Sea.

When he returned to America, he continued his speaking work. He held big meetings in New Jersey, New York, and New England. Later, he traveled through the southern and western parts of the country. Thousands of people came to hear him speak, and many were inspired by his words. Newspapers at the time praised his success.

Journeys to the Middle East

In 1896, Dr. Geil went on another long trip abroad. He visited the Holy Land again and many ancient towns in Asia Minor and around the Mediterranean. One special place he visited was the Isle of Patmos. When he came back, he wrote a book called "The Isle that is called Patmos". This book sold many copies and was even updated and republished in 1904 after he visited the island a second time.

The Great World Wide Tour

Why He Traveled the World

On April 29, 1901, William Edgar Geil started a four-year journey around the world. He called it "The Great World Wide Tour". He wanted to see how missionaries were doing around the globe. His goal was to observe how they worked, what challenges they faced, and how they connected with different cultures and religions. During this trip, he used his camera, took notes, and drew maps to learn about people and cultures everywhere.

He wrote three books about his adventures during this tour: Ocean and Isle (1902), Yankee on the Yangzte (1904), and A Yankee in Pigmy land (1905).

Ocean and Isle (1901–1902)

He left Philadelphia on April 29, 1901, and traveled across America to California. From there, he sailed from the Golden Gate to the South Sea Islands. He visited places like Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji. He studied the local people and how governments and businesses affected the spread of the Christian message.

Next, he went to New Zealand and Australia. In November 1901, he arrived in Sydney. In April and May 1902, he helped organize a huge religious event in Melbourne. He spoke daily to thousands of people. This part of his journey is described in his book Ocean and Isle.

Yankee on the Yangzte (Mid 1902 – Early 1903)

From Australia, he traveled to New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan in late 1901. Throughout 1902, Dr. Geil explored China. He traveled up the Yangtze River in a local boat and was carried over mountains in a bamboo chair. He also visited Manchuria, Korea, Siberia, and Burma.

While on the Yangtze River, he met missionaries from different countries. He also became very interested in Chinese culture. He once said that Chinese people had "great charities and benevolent institutions in China before Columbus discovered America." His book Yankee on the Yangzte tells the story of this part of his journey through China.

Map of Dr. Geil's journey along the Yangzte River (1902)

Yankee in Pigmy Land (Late 1903)

The final part of Dr. Geil's Great World Wide Tour took him across Africa. He started in Mombassa on the east coast and traveled to the Pigmy Forest. From there, he went down the Congo River to the west coast. This journey across central Africa was about 2,500 miles long and lasted from June 1903 to January 1904. You can read about his adventures in Africa in his book Yankee in Pigmy Land.

More Trips to China

Photo of the Great Wall taken by Dr. Geil

Dr. Geil made several more important trips to China:

• Great Wall of China (1908)
• Eighteen Capitals of China (1909–1910)
• Sacred 5 of China (1919)

Marriage and "The Barrens"

On March 2, 1912, Dr. Geil bought a 17-acre piece of land near Doylestown. A week later, he hired a famous architect, Oscar Martin, to design a large 30-room concrete house. This home became known as "The Barrens".

Around the same time, Dr. Geil met Lucy Constance Emerson during a lecture in Titusville. Constance was fascinated by his travels and humor. They fell in love and were married in June 1912. The couple lived at "The Barrens" until 1919, when they traveled to China together.

Death and His Legacy

After returning from his last trip to China, Dr. Geil spent his time giving lectures, writing, and teaching. He enjoyed life at "The Barrens" with Constance, often hosting friends and guests from all over the world.

In November 1924, William and Constance sailed from New York to Palestine to visit the Holy Land. This was Dr. Geil's final journey.

Dr. Geil's Grave, at Doylestown Cemetery in Doylestown, Pa.

On April 11, 1925, Dr. William Edgar Geil passed away in Venice, Italy, at the age of 60. He was on his way home and died from the flu.

Constance Geil continued to live at "The Barrens" until her death in 1959. She carefully kept her husband's library, personal papers, and special items from his travels. In 1959, after her death, Walter Gustafson bought Dr. Geil's collection. He kept it safe until he passed away in 2005. In 2008, his family donated the collection to the Doylestown Historical Society, where it is now kept and preserved for everyone to learn from.

Works

• Ocean and Isle (1902)
• Yankee on the Yangzte (1904)
• A Yankee in Pigmy land (1905)
• The Great Wall of China (1909)
• Eighteen Capitals of China (1911)
• The Sacred 5 of China (1926)

Images for kids

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  A street scene in China

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  A Chinese temple

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  A view of the Yangtze River

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  Chinese boats on the river

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  A traditional Chinese building