东吴大学的创办

东吴大学创办于中国经济与社会发展的重要转型时期。晚清中国社会的深刻变化。美国监理会在中国的传教活动和创办教育事业，是东吴大学创建的历史条件。东吴大学的创办酝酿于1899年，决策于1900年5月，1900年冬制定校董会章程、建立校董会和选举校长，1901年3月正式开办，1901年6月在美国田纳西州注册。以1900年或1901年为东吴大学创办的时间各有所据，而以1901年3月为最妥。

The Creation of Soochow University

Soochow Univereity was created at the critical transformation period of China's economy and social development.The profound changes occured in the late Qing Dynasty and the missionary work and tha educational undertakings done by the Methodist Church in China were the historical bases for the creation of Soochow University. The creation preparation of Soochow University began in 1899 , with its decision made in May 1900 . The School Board regulations were formulated , the Board of Trustees established and president elected in the winter of 1900 . The School was officially set up in March and chartered in Tennessee, U.S.A. in June 1901. There are reasons to trace the creation date of Soochow University either to 1900 or 1901, but March 1901 is more proper.