Edward Corwin was an American writer and historian of the Reformed Dutch church. He was born in New York City on July 12, 1834. He graduated from the College of the City of New York in 1853 and the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1856. For some time, he was a professor at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary and rector of Theological Hall. Corwin, who lived in Millstone, a few miles from New Brunswick, was one of the first friends of the Japanese students. Corwin was also one of the first people to open up his house to the Japanese students. He, along with his wife, welcomed, taught, and looked after them when they were sick and lonely for ten years from 1869 to 1879. Mrs. Corwin even advised them on how to conform to American etiquette and how to dress like Americans. Corwin’s children, Charles and Euphemia, became friends with the Japanese students and often played croquet together. Corwin died at his son’s house in North Branch, New Jersey, on June 22, 1914. The Corwin family made an impact on the tens of Japanese students who passed through their care, who used their knowledge of Western culture to helped build a New Japan.
Sources:
University of Chicago, editor. The Japanese Student. Vol. 1, George Banta Publishing Company, 1917.