Syngman Rhee: A Detailed Biography

Syngman Rhee (1875–1965) was the first President of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from 1948 to 1960. A lifelong independence activist who spent decades in exile lobbying for Korean freedom, he became the founding leader of South Korea but was forced from office after the 1960 April Revolution. This biography covers his Joseon-era childhood, American education, exile, presidency, Korean War, and final years in Hawaii, as documented by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Korea Society, and the Wilson Center.

Early Life in Joseon Korea

Birth in Haeju

Born Yi Seung-man on March 26, 1875, in Haeju, Hwanghae Province, he came from a yangban (aristocratic) family fallen on hard times. Educated in Confucian classics, he adopted the name “Syngman” when studying English.

Imprisonment and Conversion

Active in the Independence Club, Rhee was arrested in 1897 and tortured in prison for seven years (1897–1904). He converted to Christianity in jail and was released during the Russo-Japanese War.

American Education and Exile

Rhee arrived in the U.S. in 1904. He earned a BA from George Washington University (1907), MA from Harvard (1908), and PhD from Princeton (1910) — the first Korean to earn a doctorate from an American university. He spent nearly 40 years in exile lobbying for Korean independence, as detailed by the U.S. National Archives.

Provisional Government and Return

Elected president of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai (1919–1925), Rhee was impeached for misuse of funds. He continued lobbying in Washington and Hawaii.

First President of South Korea (1948–1960)

Returning in 1945 with U.S. support, Rhee was elected president of the First Republic in 1948. His government suppressed communists and leftists. The Korean War (1950–1953) solidified his anti-communist stance, as documented by the Truman Library.

Authoritarian Rule and April Revolution

Rhee amended the constitution to allow direct presidential elections and a third term. Rigged 1960 elections sparked the April 19 Revolution — student protests that left 186 dead. On April 26, 1960, Rhee resigned and fled to Hawaii.

Personal Life

Married Austrian Franziska Donner in 1934; no children. Known for fiery anti-communist speeches and strong American ties.

Death and Legacy

Syngman Rhee’s Enduring Impact

Rhee died of a stroke on July 19, 1965, in Honolulu, aged 90. His remains were returned to Seoul in 1965 and buried in the National Cemetery. Controversial — hero of independence to some, dictator to others — his role in establishing South Korea as an anti-communist state is undisputed, as analysed by the BBC.

Frequently Asked Questions About Syngman Rhee

Why Is Syngman Rhee Famous?

First President of South Korea and leader during the Korean War.

How Long Was Rhee President?

12 years — 1948–1960.

Where Was Syngman Rhee Born?

Haeju, Korea, March 26, 1875.

Did Rhee Study in the United States?

Yes — first Korean PhD from Princeton (1910).

What Was the April Revolution?

1960 student uprising that forced Rhee’s resignation.

Was Rhee a Dictator?

He became increasingly authoritarian, rigging elections.

How Did Syngman Rhee Die?

Stroke on July 19, 1965, in Hawaii, aged 90.