Oon Boon Tan was an eminent scholar-merchant in Penang during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally from Xiamen, Fujian, he was born in 1864. Around 1880, he abandoned the imperial examination system and migrated south to Penang in search of opportunities. Oon founded Ban Tek Hong, dealing in pepper trade. He later expanded into the rubber industry, establishing himself as a distinguished figure in Penang’s business community. Oon was passionate about calligraphy, painting, and literature. A dedicated book collector, he named his residence Taoran Lou (Tower of Serenity), which became a gathering place for Chinese scholars and traveling officials in Penang. He also co-founded the Tong Woon Library with Lim Bo Ai and Lim Boon Keng, promoting the collection and exchange of Chinese literary works. Oon played a vital role in the Chinese community and was a director of institutions such as Lam Wah Ee Hospital and the United Hokkien Cemeteries. From 1924 to 1926, he served as the Vice President of the United Hokkien Cemetery. Actively engaged in charitable efforts, he frequently organized and participated in fundraising initiatives. In 1911, he served as a fundraiser for the Penang Public Security Fund, followed by the National Relief Fund in 1912. In 1914, he raised funds for Lam Wah Ee Hospital’s welfare assistance program, and in 1917, he assisted the Kwong Fook Chu opera troupe in fundraising for victims of the Xiamen disaster. In 1918, he was appointed as the temporary auditor of Penang Free School and was also a fundraiser for Beach Street. In 1927, he served as an honorary chairman of the Li Zhongqian Calligraphy and Painting Charity Exhibition and generously donated 100 dollars. Oon Boon Tan passed away in 1930 at the age of 67. His descendants upheld his legacy and remained committed to cultural preservation. Upon learning about the establishment of the Chinese Studies Department at the University of Malaya’s Kuala Lumpur campus, the Oon family donated over 2,850 books to support the advancement of Chinese education and cultural heritage. Reference/ Further Reading Song Yanpeng. 2020. Historical Notes on Chinese Thread-bound Books at the University of Malaya's East Asian Library. Journal of Chinese Literature And Culture. 8(1): 108-115. Tan Kim Hong. 2007. The Chinese in Penang: A Pictorial History. Penang: Areca Books.