ABOUT THIS BOOK

This is the first biography in English of an uncommon American, Dr. David Murray, a professor of mathematics at Rutgers College, who was appointed by the Japanese government as Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan in 1873. The founding of the Gakusei—the first public school system launched in Japan—marks the beginning of modern education in Japan, accommodating all children of elementary school age. Murray’s unwavering commitment to its success renders him an educational pioneer in Japan in the modern world.

Benjamin Duke has compiled this comprehensive biography of David Murray to showcase Murray’s work, both in assisting around 100 samurai students in their studies at Rutgers, and in his unprecedented role in early Japanese-American relations. This fascinating story uncovers a little-known link between Rutgers University and Japan, and it is the only book to conclude that Rutgers made a greater contribution to the development of modern education in the early Meiji Era than any other non-Japanese college or university in the world.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

BENJAMIN DUKE is professor emeritus of International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, where he was chairman of the graduate faculty of education. He is the author of several books, including The History of Modern Japanese Education (Rutgers University Press).

REVIEWS

"An essential chapter in the story of Japan's early engagement with America, and America's with Japan. Scholars of this extraordinary moment owe Benjamin Duke--himself a veteran educator bridging both cultures--a debt of gratitude for his deep research into a pivotal but overlooked figure."

— Janice Nimura, author of Daughters of the Samurai:Journey from East to West and Back

"Duke's biography is a detailed examination of Murray before and especially during his years as the superintendent of education at this crucial time in Japanese history. There is probably no scholar more knowledgeable about education policies during the Meiji era."

— Journal of Asian Studies

"An amazing story, beautifully told by Benjamin Duke's skilled hand. Duke's tenacity and deep digging are admirable, a work of true scholarship."

— Thomas R. H. Havens, Professor of Japanese History, Northeastern University

"ICU Emeritus Professor and Former JICUF Trustee Benjamin Duke Writes Book about “Japanese Invasion” of Rutgers College 150 Years Ago"

— Japan ICU Foundation

"The scope and extent of the book go far beyond a mere biography of Murray....This book is to be recommended in that it provides a useful introduction to the Japan-related work of David Murray, both in the United States in the 1860s and Japan when he finally got there in the following decade. This is a lacuna in scholarship which undoubtedly needed filling. It also provides a very full account of Japan-U.S. relations in the bakumatsu and early Meiji period. It contains a wealth of new information and a decent number of illustrations. The book is quite readable, with well-structured paragraphs....A welcome addition to scholarly works on the history of the period."

— Journal of Japanese Studies

"A seminal work of meticulous and detailed scholarship, Dr. David Murray: Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan, 1873-1879 is an inherently fascinating story from beginning to end. Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of two pages of Notes and a six page Index, Dr. David Murray: Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan, 1873-1879 is a unique and especially recommended."

— Midwest Book Review

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
Introduction

PART 1: Encountering The Japanese In America 1866-1872
1) Murray’s Awakening To Japan In America: Befriending Samurai Youth At Rutgers College 1866 - 1873
2) The Samurai Invasion Of New Brunswick: Two Routes From Japan Direct And Via London 1866-1873
3) David Murray, The Rutgers Scientific School, And The Celebrated Class Of 1868: The First Rutgers Educational Pioneers To Japan 4) The Employment Of David Murray As Superintendent Of Education In The Empire Of Japan: The Iwakura Embassy In Washington 1872

PART 2: The First Period 1873
5) Japanese Education Upon Murray’s Arrival The Fundamental Code Of Education: From Clan Schools For Samurai To Public Schools For All 1872-1873
6) Murray’s Introduction To Japanese Education: The First Year Of A Universal Public School System 1873
7) Murray’s Second Report To The Ministry Of Education: Setting The Initial Direction Of Modern Japanese Education 1874-1875
8) The Japanese Educational Exhibit At The American Centennial In Philadelphia: David Murray: The Making Of A Comparative Educator 1876
9) The Dispute Over Modern Japanese Education: Murray’s Controversial Report To The Ministry: On The New Public School Law 1877
10) Murray’s Final Report To The Ministry Of Education: A Survey Of Tokyo’s Public Schools: The Departure From Japan 1878 - 1879
11) The Legacy Of David Murray: Setting The Direction Of Japanese Education For The 20th Century: An Unwavering Commitment To Japan

Notes
Index
Acknowledgements
About the Author