Navigating Colonial Challenges: Edwin Wade Koons (1880–1947) and Kyungshin School (John D. Wells Academy)*

Abstract

This study explores the life and contributions of Edwin Wade Koons, a missionary and educator who played a pivotal role in shaping Korea's educational landscape during the Japanese colonial period. As principal of Kyungshin School for 26 years, Koons navigated the complexities of colonial educational policies and internal conflicts within the missionary community. A prominent figure in Korean society, Koons was frequently featured in local media, yet despite the attention he garnered during his lifetime, his contributions have largely been overlooked. This study addresses that gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of Koons' educational work, with a particular focus on his pragmatic approach to maintaining the school's operations amid challenges such as Shinto shrine worship and student boycotts. Drawing on contemporary newspapers and primary sources, this study highlights Koons' efforts in developing Kyungshin School into one of Korea's foremost educational institutions and his impact on Korean education. The findings restore Koons to his rightful place in the historiography of Korea's colonial period, emphasising his influence as an educator and his commitment to sustaining educational opportunities under oppressive colonial rule.