Joseph Hotung

Sir Joseph Hotung
Born	(1930-05-25) May 25, 1930 Shanghai
Died	December 16, 2021(2021-12-16) (aged 91)
Occupation(s)	Businessman, art connoisseur, philanthropist
Known for	Art collection, philanthropy, business leadership

Sir Joseph Edward Hotung (; 25 May 1930 – 16 December 2021) was a distinguished businessman, art connoisseur, and philanthropist with British and Hong Kong ties.

Biography

Joseph Hotung was born in Shanghai in 1930 to Edward Hotung, a co-founder of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchange in Hong Kong, and Alice Maud Newman. He belonged to the influential Hotung lineage, with his grandfather Sir Robert Hotung recognized as a leading tycoon in Hong Kong and one of its wealthiest individuals by the age of 35. Joseph had an older brother named Eric and two sisters.

His education included studies at St Francis Xavier College in Shanghai, St Louis College in Tianjin, the Catholic University of America, and he earned an LL.B. from the University of London. Hotung began his professional journey at Marine Midland Bank in New York. Following the deaths of his father and grandfather, he returned to Hong Kong to manage the family’s real estate development and investment portfolios. His career also involved board memberships at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), HSBC Holdings plc, and the Hongkong Electric Company.

A committed supporter of education and research, Hotung co-established the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education alongside the Hong Kong government. He endowed initiatives related to Law, Human Rights, and Peace Building at SOAS University of London, contributed to HIV/AIDS research at St George's, University of London, and funded the Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for musculoskeletal treatment and education at St George's Hospital in Tooting. Furthermore, he created a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute and was instrumental in founding the lecture theatre at Mansfield College, Oxford. His involvement extended to serving on the governing councils of both the University of Hong Kong and SOAS University of London.

Art Collector

Hotung held a prominent position as a collector of Chinese art, including significant holdings of jades, porcelain, bronzes, and antique furniture. His European art collection featured works by artists such as Frans Hals, Manet, and Turner, complemented by French silverware and English furniture pieces. Upon his passing in 2022, he bequeathed an extensive collection comprising 246 Chinese jades, 15 early blue-and-white porcelains dating from the late Yuan to early Ming dynasties, along with other Chinese artifacts valued around £123 million to the British Museum.

As a major arts benefactor, Hotung was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and held trustee roles at prominent institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Freer Gallery of Art, and the British Museum between 1994 and 2004. His philanthropy supported multiple refurbishments at the British Museum: twice for the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery focusing on China and South Asia; the Sir Joseph Hotung Centre for Ceramic Studies incorporating the Sir Percival David Collection; and the Sir Joseph Hotung Great Court Gallery.

Honours

In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II during the 1993 honours list. He also received honorary degrees from St George's, University of London, University of Hong Kong, and the University of London.

Personal life

Sir Joseph Hotung passed away in London on 16 December 2021 at age 91. He was survived by four children from his earlier marriage to Mary McGinley Hotung.