2025/26 Capstone Lecture: A Tale of Three Brothers

Описание: @UBC Asian Studies

The Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia presents the 2025/26 Capstone Lecture featuring Dr. Don Baker.

This lecture "A Tale of Three Brothers: A Renowned Philosopher, a Pioneer Biologist, and a Catholic Martyr in Chosŏn Korea" was delivered in-person at the Asian Centre Auditorium on January 30, 2026, by Dr. Don Baker, Professor of Korean History and Civilization in the Department of Asian Studies, on the occasion of his retirement.

00:00:00 Welcome by Ross King
00:00:38 Remarks by Sharalyn Orbaugh
00:03:04 Intro by Ross King
00:08:20 Lecture by Don Baker
00:46:00 Q&A

Korea has produced many outstanding individuals over its long history. However, it is hard to find three historically significant figures who shared the same father and mother. In this talk, Dr. Baker will discuss three men who did.

Chŏng Yagyong, better known as Tasan, was one of the most prolific and creative thinkers in all Korean history, writing not only on Confucian philosophy but also on medicine and government administration. Chŏng Yakchŏn is remembered for taking advantage of his time in exile on a remote island to write Korea’s first study of the biological characteristics of sea life. Chŏng Yakchong is revered by Catholics for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith even though he knew that would cost him his life.

The lives of these three brothers are fascinating in their own right but together they also offer valuable insight into life in Korea during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

About the Capstone Lecture Series:
The Capstone Lectures at the Department of Asian Studies recognize the retirement from teaching of professors of the Department. They are an occasion for colleagues, students, former students and the public to hear from faculty members—who have, in many cases, taught and researched for decades at UBC—explaining questions that have inspired their career-defining studies.

Event details: https://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/a-ta...