HUNG-SIU-TS'EUEN, HUNG-HSIU-CHUAN ( 1 I. A II akka schoolmaster who originated and was the leader of the Tai-ping Rebellion (1850-64). He was born iu a small village, about 30 miles from the city of Canton, in 1512; attended school from 7 to 16: became village schoolmaster, continued his own studies and passed all the examinations prelimi nary to that for the first degree. but failed again and again in the competition for the do get'. He was subject to frequent illnesses. and in one attack. in 1837, is said to have lain in a trance for nearly forty days. during which he a religious which profoundly impressed A few years later a friend found in Ilung's bookcase sonic Christian hooks and tracts which Hung had obtained in Canton in 1833. The two began to study them. and flung found in them the key to vkions, and was thereby inspired to destroy idols. They became converted, baptized each other, and began to preach. Hung set out for Kwang-si to convert the aborigines there, but lack of ac quaintance with their language made the work difficult. lie met others. however, who gladly accepted his teaching and themselves became zeal ous propagandists. About this time he joined a society of 'Cod-worshipers.' which had been formed in 1836, and soon became supreme in it In 1845 he returned to his own province, made many converts, and in 1846 visited a Protestant missionary in Canton, and studied the Scriptures with him for two months, but was refused bap tism. beeause the request was accompanied with
an application for a monthly stipend. He re . turned to Kwan—si, and his disciples, mostly per sons to the reigning dynasty. began to destroy temples and to demolish idols. In duly, 1s50. flung and his followers. who were ia INV nu merous, broke out into open rebellion. At first Hung had styled himself the 'Brother of he now became the 'Heavenly King' (Tien Wang), and adopted the style of 'Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace' (Tai-pi»g ifiroft ) as that of the empire he m as about to estaldish. He made Nan king his headquarters until 1864, writing Chris tian books, issuing edicts to his followers, attend big to the printing and circulation of the Bible and other works. and directing the movements of his numerous generals and their immense ar mies.
On June 30, 1864, seeing the Imperial ar mies closing in on him and realizing that he could not hold out much longer, he poisoned him self. His body was later found and burned. (See CHINESE EMPIRE.) Consult: Meadows. The Chinese and Their (London, 1856) ; Williams, The Middle Kingdom I New York, 18831 and Slayer's Chim RC Rembr's Manual.