C. P. Fitzgerald
Charles Patrick Fitzgerald (better known as C. P. Fitzgerald) (5 March 190213 April 1992) was a British historian and author whose academic career occurred mostly in Australia. He was a professor of East Asian studies with particular focus on China. Early life and education. Fitzgerald was born in London, England. His parents were Dr. Hans Sauer, a South African from Cape Town. and his Irish-born wife Cecile Josephine, "née" Fitzpatrick. Unable to attend university as his family could not afford the fees, he obtained a job in a bank. After becoming interested in East Asia and  the political developments there, he studied for a diploma in Chinese at the University of London's School of Oriental Studies. Career. He first visited China at age 21, and subsequently lived and worked there for over 20 years. Between 1946 and 1950 he worked there for the British Council. After leaving China, Fitzgerald was invited to Australia by Douglas Copland, who had been Australian Minister to China (1946-1948). Fitzgerald served as a Reader in Far Eastern history at the Australian National University, located in Canberra, Australia, from 1951 to 1953. He later became Professor of Far Eastern History  at the university's Institute of Advanced Studies, from 1953 to 1967. He was a foundation member of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1969. Personal life. Fitzgerald married Pamela Sara Knollys on 15 February 1941 at Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England. They had three daughters. He died in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1992. Writings. Fitzgerald's best-known book, "China: A Short Cultural History" (London: The Cresset Press, 1935; edited by C. P. Seligman), has been reprinted and revised several times. He authored many other books and articles, including: