title: Arthur William Douthwaite (1848-99), Order of the Double Dragon, MD (USA) FRGS: evangelist, medical missionary, explorer.
abstract: Dr Douthwaite AW was first and foremost an evangelist. He became a doctor in order that he would be able better to follow his vocation of seeking to convert the people of China to Christianity. After an unhappy childhood and misspent youth, Douthwaite was converted to Christianity and went to China as a medical missionary. His only qualification was four years as an apothecary's apprentice and a short attachment at the London Hospital but he soon earned a high reputation as a healer and evangelist. During his first furlough, Douthwaite went to America and gained a full medical qualification. On his return to China, he was sent to Chefoo where he oversaw the development of a major mission station, which included one of the first medical schools for native students. His premature death from dysentery at the age of 51 prevented him from achieving even greater things.
authors.affiliation: Colchester, Essex, UK. j.owen@aspects.net
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D001363:Awards and Prizes; D002681:China; D002835:Christianity / Q000266:history*; D005101:Expeditions / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D066189:Missionaries; D012067:Religion / Q000266:history*; D008921:Religious Missions / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom