Liu Mingchuan
Liu Mingchuan , courtesy name Xingsan , was a Chinese official who lived in the midQing dynasty. He was born in Hefei, Anhui. Liu became involved in the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion at an early age, and worked closely with Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang as he emerged as an important Huai Army officer. In the aftermath of the SinoFrench War, he was appointed the first governor of the newly established Taiwan Province. Today he is remembered for his efforts in modernizing Taiwan during his tenure as governor, and several institutions have been given his name, including Ming Chuan University in Taipei.
Liu was born into a poor family of farmers at Hefei, Anhui Province, China. His father died when Liu wasyears old. At age 18, Liu joined a local gang of bandits in the mountains, and athe took part in the early Nien Rebellion. Athe changed his mind and joined the Huai Army, beginning his loyalty to the Qing Empire.
Source: Wikipedia