Hu Shi's Autobiography

Author: Wang Fazhou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Hu Shi (1891-1962), originally named Hu Hong (Maxin), styled Shizhi, was a native of Jixi, Anhui. He was a scholar. In 1910, he studied abroad in the United States, entering Cornell University and later transferring to Columbia University, where he studied under John Dewey and was deeply influenced by his experimental philosophy. In early 1917, he published "On the Improvement of Literature" in New Youth. In 1917, he received a doctorate in philosophy and returned to China, becoming a professor at Peking University. He participated in editing New Youth and published academic papers such as "On the Historical Concept of Literature" and "On the Construction of Literary Revolution," as well as the new poetry collection A Collection of Experimental Poems, becoming a highly influential figure in the New Culture Movement. In 1919, he published "Study More Problems, Talk Less Ideology," advocating forism (). In 1920, he left New Youth and later founded The Struggle Weekly. In 1923, he organized the Crescent Society with Xu Zhimo and others. In 1924, he co-founded The Modern Review with Chen Xilin, Wang Shijie, and others. In 1932, he co-founded The Independent Review with Jiang Tingfu () and Ding Wenjiang. In 1938, he served as the ambassador of the Nationalist Government to the United States. In 1946, he became the president of Peking University. In 1948, he left Beijing and later moved to the United States. In 1958, he became the president of the Academia Sinica in Taiwan. Throughout his life, Hu Shi made significant contributions in philosophy, literature, history, and classical literature studies, holding a representative position. His works include Fifty Years of Chinese Literature, Collected Works of Hu Shi, A History of Vernacular Literature, and Studies on Chinese Chaptered Novels. Hu Shi's academic activities primarily focused on history, literature, and philosophy, with major works such as Outlines of the History of Chinese Philosophy (Volume 1), A Collection of Experimental Poems, A History of Vernacular Literature (Volume 1), and Collected Works of Hu Shi (Volume 4). His most significant academic influence was promoting the research method of "Bold Hypothesis and Careful Verification." In his later years, he devoted himself to the textual research of The Commentary on the Waterways Classic, but did not complete a definitive draft. He passed away in Taipei in 1962.