Background
He was born in Chinkiang, Kiangsu, China in 1839.
He was born in Chinkiang, Kiangsu, China in 1839.
Mr. Ma received his Chinese classical education at home. Then he attended St. Ignatius College Zikawei, studying philosophy and other subjects.
After graduation, Hsiang-pai Ma entered Government service and served as secretary for foreign affairs to Li Hung-chang and later was commissioned successively to Korea, America and other countries then was retired from government service and devoted himself to authorship in Shanghai.
Then Mr. Ma retired from government service and devoted himself to authorship in Shanghai and founded Aurora University and Fuhtan College and served as president and professor of the latter institution. He was a wellknown Chinese and Latin scholar and author of many works, the best known of which is "History of Ning-hsing" (History of Spiritualism). In spite of his advanced age, he was still in sound health and energetic in public service and authorship. He was probably the oldest living official of the Manchu Dynasty.