Iowa Law
First International Students
From Bassein, Burma
Moung Edwin, 1879.
Baptist missionaries brought Moung Edwin to the U.S. in 1869 to attend college and seminary. He attended the University of Iowa Law School between 1878 - 1879. The program was just one year.
Picture held by the National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution, NAA INV 04467000
Bassein, Burma to Iowa City = 8,013 miles (12,896 km)
Moung Edwin travelled over 8,000 miles from Burma to Iowa City to attend Law School.
By 1869, steamships with paddle wheels and sails were crossing the Pacific Ocean. Before the Panama Canal opened in 1914, ships would dock on either side of Panama. Passengers travelled over land and then boarded another ship to continue the journey.
Modern Spelling Changes
In 1989, the ruling government changed Burma’s name to Myanmar. The Adaptation of Expressions Law also changed English language names for cities. For instance, Bassein is now spelled Pathein and Rangoon changed to Yangon. Other words are also spelled differently today to more accurately reflect Burmese pronunciation. For example, Moung is now spelled Maung. This exhibit employs the 19th century spellings Moung Edwin used.
Moung Edwin's Timeline
Click on image to view the full interactive timeline.
Student "Special Mention"
In October 1878, the University Reporter featured Moung Edwin and Alexander Griffin Clark, Jr., classmates in the Law Department. (Law school was just one year at that time.) Moung Edwin was the first international student at both the University of Iowa and the Law School. Alexander Clark, Jr. was the Law School’s first African-American graduate.
Alexander Clark, Sr., Class of 1884
Clark Jr.’s father, Alexander Clark, Sr., attended Iowa Law after his son. He graduated in the Class of 1884 at the age of 58. In 1882, while still in law school, he bought the Chicago Conservator newspaper.
Sperry Artistic Photography in Iowa City
While in Iowa City, Moung Edwin had several photographs taken.
They were made into small cards, about 4.5 x 2.5 inches, which were given away to friends and acquaintances.
The first was for his Law School composite picture, which can be seen at the top of this page.
The second, reproduced here, shows him wearing clothing he brought from Burma.
Both photographs were taken in Iowa City at Sperry Artistic Photography.
George Sperry (1853 - 1929) and his family ran a studio in Iowa City during the 1870s and 1880s.
Further Exploration
Photo Gallery: Iowa Law 1879
A Gift for Chancellor Hammond
