Manning was born in rural Norfolk, and Norfolk’s febrile cultural climate shaped his intellectual development. Manning’s social environment was influenced by prominent movements for reform, against the slave trade and in favour of women’s rights, and his ideas reflected the democratic ideals of the American and French revolutions. Manning’s zeal for progressive change stimulated his desire to learn about China. However, when he arrived at Cambridge University in 1790, the curriculum was dominated by mathematics and ancient Greek, and these were the subjects he studied at Caius College between 1790 and 1795. It would take several more years before he could begin to learn Chinese, but his studies of ancient Greek later provided a surprising foil for his Sinological pursuits. Manning was one of the best students in his year, but he was unable to graduate: his conscientious objection to subscribing to the Church of England’s Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion meant he was disqualified from receiving a university degree. After leaving Caius, Manning continued his mathematical research, publishing a textbook and supporting himself by teaching university students. The chapter also explores the affecting story of Manning’s youthful romance with Miss Wilkins, one of the sisters of the famous architect, William Wilkins.