Howqua
Wu Bingjian (Chinese: 伍秉鑑; 1769–4 September 1843), also known as Houqua and Howqua[1], was a Chinese merchant. He was a member of the Thirteen Factories and worked as a hong. Howqua was the leader of the Canton Cohong, as well as the leader of the Ewo hong.
He was born in Guangzhou sometime in 1769. During his time there, the city started to become rich and trade with both the United States and Europe became more popular. The city became the only city in the province that could trade with foreign countries after Qing government banned other cities from receiving foreign trade. In 1801, Howqua would inherit a trading company called Yihe Company from his father.[2] The company would have close trade relations with the British East India Company and traders from the United States.
He would see a large amount of revenue from the company and he would earn a profit of US$26 million.[3] Howqua was the richest person in the world during the 19th century.[4]
He died on 4 September 1843 after the end of the First Opium War.
References
- ↑ The Chinese cornerstone of modern banking : the Canton guaranty system and the origins of bank deposit insurance 1780-1933. Grant, Frederic D. Jr. Leiden: Brill Nijhoff. 2014. ISBN 978-90-04-27656-7. OCLC 893333616.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ "Howqua (a.k.a. Wu Bingjian) (1769-1843)". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ↑ "Who was 19th-century merchant Howqua, the 'Chinese Bill Gates of his day'? The late tycoon once dominated China's trade market as the richest man on Earth". South China Morning Post. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ↑ The rich and how they got that way : how the wealthiest people of all time from Genghis Khan to Bill Gates made their fortunes. Crossen, Cynthia. New York: Crown Business. 2000. ISBN 9780812932676. OCLC 43095733.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)