Formerly served in Legislative Council, Sanitary Board and District Watch Force, Tso greatly contributed to Hong Kong's education and medical care in the early 20th century.

Tso Seen-wan was born on 10 November 1868 in Portuguese Macau with ancestral hometown in Heungshan, Kwangtung,[1] eldest son of Tso Wai-chuen (Chinese: 曹渭泉),[2] a well-known merchant of that territory who was the first Chinese in Macau decorated by the King of Portugal with the Insignia of "Comenda de Nossa Senhora da Conceição",[3] who also received the Honorary title of the 2nd Degree with the Red Button and Peacock's Feather conferred on him by Guangxu, the Emperor of China, in 1880.

[5][7][8] Through his association with two leading members of the Chinese community, Ho Kai and Wei Yuk, he soon became a leader in the public affairs of the Colony of Hong Kong.

Tso was the Honorary Secretary of the 1909-created Chinese sub-committee to raise the Endowment Fund,[2][11] and donated 500 HKD as contribution.

[8] Tsan Yuk Hospital, then located in Sai Ying Pun, was established with Tso's effort to meet the maternity demand.

[19][2] A year prior to be named as Honorary Manager, he was appointed as Sanitary Board member, and as non-official Justice of the Peace on 17 April 1918.

Colonial government hence named Tso as Tung Wah Hospital advisor, Po Leung Kuk and District Watch Force gentry member (Chinese: 紳士) for negotiations with workers,[21][19] later as Controller of Labour tasked with sustaining the labour force.

Tso exited Sanitary Board in 1929 and was appointed by reformist Governor Cecil Clementi as Legislative Council unofficial member, becoming the first to represent Kowloon community.

[2] He retired from the University of Hong Kong (only to be reappointed as Council member-for-life) and revoked his solicitor license in 1951 due to vision loss and other sicknesses.

[19] Tso, aged 84, passed away thirty minutes after noon on 20 January 1953 at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital.

[29] Chief Justice Gerard Lewis Howe, Attorney General Arthur Ridehalgh, Chairperson of Bar Association Leo d'Almada e Castro lead the tributes paid to Tso.