Alf Moule

Alf Moule (1873-1958) was a British missionary, Sinologist, and Anglican priest. He served with the Church Missionary Society (CMS) in China for over 40 years, contributing significantly to the study of Chinese language, culture, and history.

Moule was born in Shanghai, China, to George Evans Moule, the Bishop of Mid-China, and Mary Jane Fearon. Growing up in a missionary family provided him with an early understanding of Chinese language and customs. He was educated in England before returning to China to work as a missionary.

Moule’s contributions to Sinology include numerous publications on various aspects of Chinese society, including its religious beliefs, social structures, and political systems. He was known for his meticulous research and insightful analysis. Among his notable works are contributions to understanding the nesting habits of certain bird species.

He was a strong advocate for intercultural understanding and dedicated his life to building bridges between the East and West. He retired from missionary service in the 1940s and returned to England, where he continued to write and lecture on China.