Bao Shu Ren Wen Ji

Author: Bo Shuren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Bo Shuren, a native of Suzhou, Jiangsu, was born on November 20, 1934, in Shanghai. In 1952, he enrolled in the Department of Astronomy at Nanjing University. Upon graduating in 1957, he joined the Institute of the History of Natural Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In the 1960s, Bo Shuren's research on ancient Chinese stellar observations, as well as his collaborative work with Xi Zexong on the historical records of novae in China, Japan, and Korea, were recognized as major academic achievements worldwide. His findings were widely cited in the international academic community, profoundly influencing both the study of the history of astronomy and modern astronomy. In the 1970s, he actively participated in research on the "Heliocentric Theory in China" and the preservation of China's astronomical heritage. Since the 1980s, the History of Chinese Astronomy he edited has become a significant achievement in the and study of China's cultural heritage and a must-read reference for researchers in the history of Chinese astronomy. The Comprehensive Series on the History of Chinese Astronomy, which he initiated, planned, and edited, is a monumental work compiled by a generation of leading historians of astronomy. The Comprehensive Collection of Chinese Astronomical Classics and the "History of Astronomy" section of the Great Encyclopedia of China that he led, as well as the more than ten specialized collections on the history of astronomy he edited, are all important contributions to the field. Even in the final moments of his life, he continued to contribute his wisdom and efforts to major national research projects such as the Comprehensive History of Chinese Science and Technology and the "Project for the Dating of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties."
Bo Shuren was known for his rigorous academic standards and solid research methods. He emphasized the excavation and organization of scientific historical materials while also advocating for the use of scientific methods for analysis and research. His work was marked by deep insight and innovation. He was straightforward and open in his interactions with peers, always sharing his views without reservation. His moral integrity and scholarly achievements made him a role model. Even while ill, Bo Shuren remained committed to his work, dedicating himself entirely to academic pursuits and setting an example for future scholars. His passing is a significant loss to the field of the history of Chinese science and technology.
This collection was compiled by his disciples. The included texts are broadly divided into two parts: first, the major academic papers published during his lifetime; and second, a substantial portion of his unpublished manuscripts.