《遐邇貫珍》是馬禮遜教育會創辦的以文化交流為目的的一份中文期刊,關于該刊的首任主編目前在學界尚存爭論,大多數學者持論主編為麥都思,而有的學者認為是麥華陀。造成這一爭論的原因是偉烈亞力關于《遐邇貫珍》首任主編記載的文字被譯錯。從對一些史實的分析來看,麥都思沒有足夠的時間往來滬港從事編輯工作,巨額的往來費用無人承擔,《遐邇貫珍》的創刊目的與麥都思身份不符,其他文獻記載也間接表明主編并非麥都思而是麥華陀,再加上首任主編辭職的時間節點與麥華陀的活動較為吻合,由此可以確定該刊首任主編為麥華陀。考證其首任主編,有利于在重新審視該刊性質的基礎上,揭示其在近代中國期刊發展史中的作用。

Chinese Serial was a Chinese magazine founded by the Morrison Education Society,whose purpose was culture communication. Nowthere is an academic disagreement over its first editor-in-chief. Most scholars regard Walter Henry Medhurst as its first editor-in-chief,but some think it was Walter Henry Medhurst,Jun. It was caused by the mistranslation of Alexander Wylie’s record on its first editor-in-chief. Some Chinese and foreigners at the time clearly recorded Walter Henry Medhurst,Jun. as the first editor-in-chief. Analysis of historical facts tell us that Walter Henry Medhurst could not have enough time to travel between Shanghai and Hong Kong while editing this magazine. No one would pay for the huge costs,and the purpose of Chinese Serial was in conflict with Walter Henry Medhurst’s status. Other documents indirectly showed it was Walter Henry Medhurst,Jun.,and the time of resignation of the first editor-in-chief matched the activities of Walter Henry Medhurst,Jun. These all showthe first editor-in-chief was Walter Henry Medhurst,Jun. This research helps us reconsider the nature of the issue and reveals its function in the history of periodical development in modern China.