James Curtis Hepburn

Biography

James Curtis Hepburn was born in 1815 and is widely known for his missionary, medical, and linguistic work that built enduring bridges between the United States and Japan. A physician by training, he established hospitals, trained students, and helped publish educational materials that opened doors for mutual understanding.

His translation of Japanese into Roman characters and his careful Christian witness helped generations appreciate both cultures, and he rests at Rosedale Cemetery as a testimony to a life of service.