Meritorious Service Record

In the summer of 1895, while serving as the director of Jejungwon, Oliver R. Avison devoted himself to combating a cholera outbreak. In October of the same year, following the assassination of Empress Myeongseong, he, along with other missionaries such as H.G. Underwood, helped protect King Gojong, who feared for his safety.
In March 1899, he traveled to the United States on leave. In the spring of 1900, he returned to Korea after securing a $10,000 donation from Louis H. Severance. In November 1904, he established Severance Hospital and became its first director. In 1906, he founded a nursing school within Severance Hospital and continued medical education at Jejungwon Medical School. In June 1908, the first class of seven graduates, including Kim Pil-soon, completed their studies.
In August 1908, after Japan disbanded the Korean Imperial Army, clashes erupted between former Korean soldiers and Japanese troops. Avison arranged for the wounded Korean soldiers to be transported to the hospital for treatment. In 1909, Jejungwon Medical School was renamed Severance Medical School, and in May 1917, it was officially recognized as Severance Medical College, where he also served as principal. In October 1916, together with H.G. Underwood, he established Yonhee College (later Yonsei University) and served as its president.
In 1919, following the outbreak of the March 1st Movement, Avison played a key role in informing the international community about the situation in Korea. On March 13, he sent a telegram recalling A.E. Armstrong, the secretary of the Canadian Presbyterian Overseas Mission, who was en route to Canada, urging him to return to Seoul. On March 16-17, he attended a missionary countermeasure meeting, where efforts were made to inform foreign countries of Korea’s situation.
Additionally, Avison participated in several meetings with Japanese officials, including Usami Katsuo (宇佐美勝夫), the Japanese Minister of Home Affairs, at the request of the Government-General of Korea. On March 9, he served as a representative for missionaries, directly criticizing the colonial administration’s oppressive policies and advocating for freedom and self-governance for Koreans. During this meeting, he highlighted major grievances among Korean leaders, stating:
1. Adequate recognition of the unique ethnic differences between the two nations,
2. The right to education in the Korean language,
3. Freedom of the press,
4. Freedom of publication,
5. Freedom of public assembly,
6. Freedom of movement,
7. Social reform (Japanese authorities had forcibly organized prostitution targeting Koreans, leaving them with no recourse),
8. The elimination of discrimination against Koreans.
He stated that Koreans who demanded any of these rights would end up in prison, treated as a criminal, and asked Usami whether such petition would be granted.
Avison also actively protected and treated the injured participants of the March 1st Movement, resisting Japanese military police searches and forced patient transfers. On May 26, after Yang Han-mook (梁漢默), one of the March 1st Movement leaders, died in Seodaemun Prison, Avison personally visited his home, examined his body, and offered condolences to his family.
In 1934, he retired as principal of Severance Medical College and Yonhee College and was given the title of honorary principal. He retired from missionary work in December 1935 and returned to the United States.
Even after his return, Avison continued supporting Korean independence efforts. From 1942 to 1943, he served as treasurer of The Christian Friends of Korea, advocating for international recognition of the Korean Provisional Government and urging support for Korea’s independence movement.
Oliver R. Avison passed away at the age of 96 on August 29, 1956, in Florida, United States.
In 1952, the South Korean government posthumously awarded Oliver R. Avison the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Independence Medal) in recognition of his contributions to Korea’s independence.