23 August 2024

The HSUHK Library has received a donation pledge of over 1,500 books from Dr John Strickland and Mrs Strickland, including a notable rare book, Embassy to the Court of the Teshu Lama, published in 1806, as well as a few hundred books covering topics of Asian travel, exploration, and mountaineering published before 1928.

Dr Strickland was the former Chairman of Hongkong Bank where he contributed to the Group’s Information Technology development for over 20 years. He is also an Honorary University Fellow as well as an Honorary Professor at the Business School of the University of Hong Kong. He is also an Honorary Doctor at City University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The donation from Dr and Mrs Strickland will be one of the largest contributions to the HSUHK collection in terms of historical value. The donation will significantly deepen HSUHK’s holdings of Western rare items which will strengthen the special and reference collections of the Library through the lens of 19th and 20th century writers and explorers.

In support of the donation, Mr James Thompson, Professional Fellow of the HSUHK Honours Academy and Chairman of Crown Worldwide Group, agreed to provide complimentary services for delivering the books to the University Library.