A PLAQUE commemorating the life of the first professor of Chinese at Oxford University will be unveiled at his former home.

James Legge, also a famous translator and missionary in Hong Kong, lived in North Oxford from 1875 until his death in 1897.

He spent those years working away in his study at 3 Keble Terrace on his translations of the Chinese classics - making them accessible to the West for the first time.

In 1876 was also appointed Oxford Chair of Chinese and was the first nonconformist to be made a professor.

He also played an important role in the liberalisation of the University, promoting a new curriculum and examination system, religious toleration and women's education as a member of Somerville College's founding committee.

The blue plaque will be unveiled at 3 Keble Road, where he lived throughout his time in the city, on Wednesday at 2pm.

His great grandson Christopher Legge will do the honours and the event is open to the public.