Older universities and scholars

Author: Zhang Xiaowei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Touching upon the history of universities and interpreting the lives of scholars. The book describes the principals of influential universities in Chinese education history during the last century, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Nankai University, and Southwest Associated University, including Yan Fu,, Mei Yiqi, Luo Jialun, and Jiang Menglin, as well as representative scholars of the era like Hu Shih, Lu Xun, and Qian Mu. However, the author does not merely praise their talent and charm at a low cost. Instead, through the interactions of principals navigating various powers and situations, as well as among scholars, the author highlights the personalities of both the principals and scholars, without avoiding their flaws and limitations. They acted impulsively, pursued personal interests, or even attacked each other, even resorting to harsh words, abandoning partisan perspectives and campus boundaries. The author places greater emphasis on historical facts, dynamically examining the thoughts and positions of scholars in different periods. The government undoubtedly has strong intervention power in the development of universities, but it is not omnipotent. With the support of the Republic of China government, there were both successes, such as Cai Yuanpei's reform of Peking University, and failures, such as Li Shizeng's implementation of the university district system introduced from France. There were glorious years of Southwest Associated University, as well as the disbandment of Northwest Associated University. Meanwhile, the success of Yan Fansen and Zhang Boling in establishing the private Nankai School, which included middle schools and universities and lacked government funding, was particularly remarkable. Luo Jialun's reputation after leaving Tsinghua did not diminish his dedicated efforts in building the outstanding Central University. Jiang Menglin's retreat as the principal of Peking University may have been a significant factor in the success of Mei Yiqi and Southwest Associated University. Hu Shih pioneered new trends, while Qian Mu carried forward traditions. The brothers Zhou, with their proud and modern consciousness, and Lin Qinnan, who translated Western books while still serving the Qing emperor, were distinctive. Kang Youwei, Cai Yuanpei, Zhang Yuanji, Wang Guowei, and Luo Zhenyu shared similarities but had diverse personalities.