Peng-chun “P.C.” Chang

Nearly every biography of Dr. Peng-chun “P.C” Chang describes him as a “renaissance man,” and for good reason. Chang was born in Tianjin, China in 1892. He travelled to the United States to pursue his education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Clark University in 1913. Chang went on to earn his PhD from Columbia University’s Teacher College where he focused on Chinese Studies. Throughout his time in the US, Chang’s primary focus was on theater. While studying and later, as a professor at Nankai University, Chang utilized Chinese theater to broaden Western understanding of Chinese culture.

In 1942 Chang shifted from his role as a professor and cultural ambassador to an official diplomat when he was appointed as China’s representative to Turkey. From that point forward, Dr. Chang served as a delegate to the United Nations and was instrumental in shaping global human rights policies. He was a strong proponent of cultural understanding and cooperation among nations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in international relations. Dr. Chang’s work laid the foundation for the inclusion of human rights principles in international law and diplomacy.