John Balcom
John Balcom
John Balcom is an acclaimed translator of Chinese literature, philosophy and children’s books. He teaches at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.
In 1916, John Balcom Shaw, a conservative Presbyterian minister newly installed at Elmira College for Women, received anonymous letters which questioned his moral character. Miller recounted this investigation from these notes until Shaw was ultimately forced to resign from ministry in 1917.
Early Life and Education
John Balcom was born in Bellport, New York on May 12, 1860 as the sixth child of Joseph M. Shaw and Amanda C. Gerard. A Presbyterian minister, he served as the founding pastor of West End Presbyterian Church in New York City for many years.
He served as the sixth president of Elmira College, New York. The Presidential Papers (2.1:11) document his activities there including correspondence regarding faculty appointments, campus improvements and contacts with governing boards such as New York State Education Department and Presbyterian Church representatives.
He teaches in the Graduate School of Translation, Interpretation and Language Education at Monterey Institute of International Studies. His translations include Li Rui’s Trees Without Wind and Lo Fu’s Stone Cell.
Professional Career
John Balcom is an award-winning translator and past president of the American Literary Translators Association. He’s also an associate professor and head of the Chinese program at Monterey Institute of International Studies in California.
He has also published several books, with particular distinction for his works on China and Taiwan.
He has a deep professional and personal affinity for New York State. His grandfather immigrated from Connecticut to Kendall area in 1816, homesteading for several generations.
Personal Life
John Balcom was a kind and caring individual with an infectious laugh. He made great father, grandfather and great-grandfather proud; was active in several community organizations; and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife Patricia (Hoey) Balcom; son David F. Balcom (and wife Pamela of Leicester); grandson John Boguzis of Worcester; plus many nieces, nephews, as well as an extended network of friends.
His first wife was Mary Grover, born in Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. They were married in 1720 and their daughter Phoebe Darbe married John Fisher two years later in 1751.
Net Worth
John Balcom is an English citizen living in a single-family home. He earns less than $15K annually and has an estimated net worth of under $25K. He has lived at this address for two years with no children living with him, and does not own a car. According to data from the Health and Retirement Study, those with higher net worths tend to experience less symptom burden at death compared to those with lower ones; those who have completed more than 12 years of school also tend to have greater wealth levels.