Homer Bezaleel Hulbert was an American educator, missionary, linguist, and historian who became one of the most prominent Western advocates for Korean independence and modernization. Arriving in Korea in the late nineteenth century, Hulbert dedicated himself to the country's educational reforms. He taught at several of Korea's earliest modern educational institutions, championing the idea that widespread education was vital to the nation's future sovereignty and development.
Beyond his work in the classroom, Hulbert made pioneering contributions to Korean studies and linguistics. He was a strong proponent of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, and authored Saminpilji (1891), which was the first modern-style textbook written entirely in the native script. His scholarly pursuits also produced foundational English-language historical texts, including The History of Korea (1905) and The Passing of Korea (1906), which helped introduce Korean history and culture to the Western world.
Hulbert's commitment to Korea extended into international diplomacy. He served twice as a special envoy for the Korean emperor, traveling to the United States in 1905 and to the Second Peace Conference at The Hague in 1907 to advocate for Korean sovereignty against Japanese encroachment. Following the Hague mission, he was barred from returning to Korea. He settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he continued his active advocacy for Korean independence until the country's liberation in 1945.