Columbia and Modern China

Author: Wang Hailong / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-01-01
Features: Hu Shih and many other modern Chinese cultural figures graduated from Columbia University. Why did Feng Youlan return to Columbia University and receive his doctorate 60 years after leaving? Why did the poet Xu Zhimo leave Columbia University? This book takes you into the world of this world-renowned university, which has nurtured 58 Nobel laureates. Unfortunately, Hu Shih was too brilliant a star; no matter what constellation he was among, he would make everything around him dim. This led to his tragedy. Hu Shih was like a lover who was heartbroken but unable to let go, with one-sided or exclusive affection, hoping to be embraced, yet repeatedly rejected, either intentionally or unintentionally. He carried the arrogance of a traditional scholar, relying on his natural charm, with lightly brushed eyebrows and a plain face, unaware that his object of affection was a tyrant, vulgar officials, and treacherous men. "Red beauty before aging, favor cut off early," like a fallen autumn fan, this cannot be called anything but an unbearable sorrow. Regarding this, his junior and student Tang Degang once sighed pitiably, saying that at that time, "Hu Shih was still full of energy and could have relied on North American wealth to preserve Chinese culture. Who knew that his extraordinary talent could only be used as a short-term Chinese bookkeeper at Princeton University."
In short, Mr. Hu had a deep affection for his alma mater, Columbia University. He felt he was an elder, a father and brother to Columbia. He had a direct connection and responsibility to the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of this family. His deep expectations and sincere affection were enough to move onlookers. But how many "nephews and nieces" did Hu Shih really have in this one-sided Columbia family? The friends with blue eyes and yellow beards, to be honest, never regarded Hu Shih as a member of the broader Columbia University.