Victor Purcell died in 1965 shortly after retiring from his teaching post in Cambridge. This 1970 memorial volume is a tribute to the wide range of his interests by friends, colleagues and former pupils. It aims primarily to acknowledge his work as a scholar. The subject-matter might be described in general terms as insurrection, immigration and trade in China and South-east Asia. Interest is concentrated on the Chinese people (whom he so much admired), and on their more recent history and civilisation (which were central pre-occupations throughout his life). The list of distinguished contributors includes Owen Lattimore of Leeds, Joseph Needham of Cambridge, W. E. Cheong of Hong Kong, Graham W. Irwin of Columbia, and Wang Gungwu of Canberra.
