History of the Qing Dynasty - Biographies

Author: Wang Chouhan (ed.)
Publisher:
Publication Date: November 1, 1987
Features: A Qing Dynasty biographical book. Eighty volumes. No authors listed. The volume titles include three volumes on imperial princes and nobles, twenty-two volumes of the main biographies of high-ranking officials, ten volumes of supplementary biographies of high-ranking officials, nine volumes of continuation biographies of high-ranking officials, twelve volumes of the post-main biographies of high-ranking officials, five volumes of newly established biographies of high-ranking officials, three volumes of biographies of high-ranking officials yet to be compiled, one volume of the Loyal and Righteous Biographies, four volumes of the Scholars Biographies, four volumes of the Literary Talents Biographies, four volumes of the Incorrupt Officials Biographies, two volumes of the Secondary Officials Biographies, and one volume of the Rebel Officials Biographies. It records a total of 2,894 biographies, from the founding heroes of the Qing Dynasty such as Fei Yingdong and Eredai to the late Qing official Li Hongzhang. The sources are mainly based on the Qing Imperial History Office's "Draft Biographies of High-Ranking Officials," "Biographies of Manchu and Han Renowned Officials," and "The First Collection of Renowned Figures of the Current Dynasty."
As of now, the most comprehensive biographical books on the Qing Dynasty are the "Draft History of the Qing Dynasty" and the "Biographies of High-Ranking Officials of the Qing Dynasty." However, most biographies in the "Draft History of the Qing Dynasty" are brief, while the "Biographies of High-Ranking Officials of the Qing Dynasty" are generally much more detailed and can even correct omissions in the "Veritable Records of the Qing Dynasty" in certain aspects. This book was published by the Zhonghua Book Company in 1928. After being proofread and revised, it was reprinted in eight volumes by the Zhonghua Book Company. In 1987, the Zhonghua Book Company published the Wang Chouhan-edited version in twenty volumes, which is the new edition.