Lingnan University (Chinese: 嶺南大學) in Canton, Kwangtung Province, China (now Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China), was a private university established by a group of American missionaries in 1888. At its founding it was named Canton Christian College (格致書院).
It was incorporated into Chung Shan University (now Sun Yat-sen University) in 1953. Members of the university fled to Hong Kong and founded the Lingnan School in Wan Chai in 1967, which was relocated to Tuen Mun in the mid-1990s and renamed Lingnan University in 1999.
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The university relocated several times during its existence. It moved to Macau, then a Portuguese colony, in 1900 to escape the repressive measures implemented by the ruling Ch'ing Dynasty of China. In 1903, the Chinese name was changed to 嶺南學堂 in Macau.
It moved back to Canton in 1904. In 1916, the Chinese name was changed again, to 嶺南大學, as the college expanded to become a university. In 1927, management of the university passed into Chinese hands, and the English name was changed to Lingnan University, the transliteration of the school's Chinese name. Dr. Chung Wing Kwong became the first Chinese principal of the University. In 1930s, Lingnan became a globally recognised institution. A branch in Hainan with an emphasis on agricultural studies was founded in 1933.
During the 1930s and 40s, the university was forced to move several times as Japanese armies advanced across China. In 1937, it relocated to Hong Kong as the Japanese occupied Canton, and in 1942, to Kukong (now Shaoguan) in northern Kwangtung Province, as the Japanese occupied Hong Kong. After World War II, the university was finally able to return to Canton.
In 1953, Lingnan University was incorporated into Chung Shan University (now Sun Yat-sen University). Members of the university who fled from communist rule to Hong Kong founded the Lingnan College in Hong Kong to continue the spirit of the university in 1967. The college became Lingnan University in 1999.
