Biography

Edward Bangs Drew was born in Orleans, Massachusetts. He studied law, but abandoned his studies after receiving the nomination from the President of Harvard to enter the Chinese Customs Service. He left for China on July 6, 1865. In October of 1867 he received the appointment of deputy-commissioner and Chinese Secretary to the Inspector General. In 1868 he became Commissioner of the Customs Office at Kiukiang. He later held Commissioner positions at Foochow, and Ningpow, among others. He wrote many Trade reports which were published. 
He was married in 1874 to Anna A. Davis, with whom he had five children.