Hart's Diary -- Entering the Qing Court Career: Entering the Qing Court Career

Author: Robert Hart
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Robert Hart (1835-1911) was one of the representative figures of the British Empire during the Victorian era, who built the empire through the governance of overseas colonies. As the Foreign Director of Customs in late Qing China, Hart not only controlled the financial lifeline of the Qing government during his peak power but also directly influenced China's internal and foreign policies, as well as cultural endeavors, thereby transforming his influence into the core of Western powers' impact in China. As a pivotal political and historical figure, Hart's life was also quite legendary. This book collects all of Hart's diaries from 1854, when he first set foot in China, to 1863, when he was appointed as the Director of Customs (excluding parts destroyed for personal reasons), with annotations. It also includes special chapters evaluating Hart's background, the social conditions of China at the time, his interactions with officials at all levels of the Qing government, and the gradual progression of his career. This enables the portrayal of Hart's life journey through a dual approach, both outlining the complex psychological development of an extraordinary individual and the profound cultural conflicts and exchanges he experienced, while also revealing the diverse social realities and struggles in China at the time.