It was invented by Western missionaries to help translate Chinese.

First published in 1859 by Thomas Francis Wade

• Developed from R. Morrison's 1815 system.
• Later modifed by Herbert Allen Giles in 1912.
• Uses k k' p p' t t' etc. instead of g k b p d t

Formerly near exclusive system in English-speaking countries.

Remains defacto system in Taiwan for personal names.

Books on Chinese Romanization.