1922 – Professor H.A. Giles

There is no archival material in this series. Please see Related Material for details concerning the conferment of the Medal.

Herbert Allen Giles was born in 1845. he studied at Charterhouse before becoming a British diplomat to China, serving from 1867-1892. He modified a Mandarin Chinese romanisation system established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade–Giles Chinese romanisation system. On returning to England he was appointed the second professor of Chinese language at the University of Cambridge, succeeding Thomas Wade in 1897. He translated many Chinese works. Giles retired in 1932, and subsequently died in 1935.

In the Council Minutes for 5 July 1921, it was recorded that Sir George Grierson agreed to take the place of the late Sir Charles Lyall on the Committee and Professor Margoliouth agreed to convene the meeting. In the Minutes for 11 October 1921, it was recorded that the Committee would be Sir George Grierson, Sir Henry Howorth and Professor A.H. Sayce. In the Minutes for 14 February 1922, it was proposed and accepted that Sir George Grierson, Sir Henry Howorth and Dr, F. W. Thomas form the Committee for the Triennial Gold Medal. The Minutes for 11 April 1922, record that it was left to the Acting Director to co-opt other members for the Medal Committee if necessary. In the Minutes for 9 May 1922, it was decided that an evening reception should be held to introduce members to the President and to present the Gold Medal which was to be awarded to Professor Herbert Allen Giles. The Report for the Triennial Gold Medal Committee 1922 is present after the Minutes of the Council for 13 June 1922.

In the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 1922 (3), p.493, it was recorded that a Special General Meeting was held on 4 July after which Lord Chalmers presented the Gold Medal to Herbert Giles.