Nicolas Joseph Raux

In 1773, following the dissolution of the Society of Jesus, the French king, Louis XVI, sent Raux and two other missionaries to China. They departed France on 25 Aug 1783, arriving in Guangzhou on 29 Aug 1784. They traveled north on 7 Feb 1785, arriving in Beijing on 29 Apr. The emperor met them and assigned Raux, who devoted his time to learning Chinese and the Manchu language, to do translation work. In 1788, following the death of the Jesuit Joseph d’Esphinha, Raux was appointed to replace him as chief of the Calendrical Bureau. Raux also conducted clandestine mission activities. He presided over the North Church, conducting elaborate masses on important days in the church calendar, and established several schools where Christians could learn the teachings of the church. He also established a monastery to train Chinese priests.