A Chinese Biographical Dictionary

A Chinese Biographical Dictionary, published in 1898, consists of over 2,500 biographical entries spanning Chinese history from ancient times through the late Qing Dynasty. The compilation represents years of research and translation work by sinologist Herbert Giles during his time as a British diplomat in China. The dictionary contains entries on emperors, scholars, poets, artists, philosophers, and other notable figures from Chinese civilization. Each biographical sketch provides birth and death dates when known, key life events, major accomplishments, and historical context for understanding the subject's significance. The work stands as one of the first comprehensive English-language biographical resources on Chinese historical figures. Its systematic organization and extensive index made it a foundational reference text for Western scholars studying Chinese history and culture. The dictionary reveals the interconnected nature of Chinese cultural and intellectual life across dynasties, while highlighting both the celebrated and lesser-known individuals who shaped China's development. Through these collected life stories, patterns emerge about how Chinese society documented and remembered its influential figures.

Readers value this reference work's comprehensiveness, with over 2,500 biographical entries spanning Chinese history through the Qing dynasty. Many cite its utility for academic research and historical context. Likes: - Detailed citations and source materials for each biography - Clear organization alphabetically by surname - Inclusion of both major and minor historical figures - Cross-referencing between related entries Dislikes: - Outdated Wade-Giles romanization system makes searching difficult - Some biographical entries reflect colonial-era Western biases - Limited coverage of women and common people - No updates since original 1898 publication A history professor on Amazon notes: "Despite its age, remains useful for quick reference checks of historical figures, though modern sources should be consulted for full context." No ratings available on Goodreads or Amazon. WorldCat shows it held by 357 libraries worldwide. The book remains in print through several publishers, primarily used in academic settings.

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Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period by Arthur W. Hummel This reference work presents biographical entries for over 800 prominent individuals who lived during China's last imperial dynasty (1644-1912).

Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women by Lily Xiao Hong Lee and Agnes D. Stefanowska This multi-volume series provides comprehensive biographical entries focused on Chinese women from antiquity through the twentieth century.

The Cambridge History of China by John King Fairbank This multi-volume series includes extensive biographical information about key historical figures while examining Chinese history from the Qin dynasty through modern times.

Biographical Dictionary of Republican China by Howard L. Boorman This reference work contains detailed biographies of 600 political, military, and cultural figures who shaped Chinese history between 1911-1949.

📚 First published in 1898, the dictionary contains over 2,500 biographical entries spanning 2,000 years of Chinese history 🖋️ Herbert Giles developed the widely-used Wade-Giles romanization system for Mandarin Chinese, which was the standard in English-speaking countries until the 1980s 📖 The book was groundbreaking for its time, as it made Chinese historical figures accessible to Western readers who couldn't read Chinese characters 🏛️ Giles wrote this massive work while serving as British consul in various Chinese cities, gathering information from Chinese sources previously unknown to Western scholars 📚 Despite being over 120 years old, the book remains a valuable reference work and is still cited in modern academic publications about Chinese history