Ding Wenjiang
Encyclopedia
Ding Wenjiang courtesy name Zaijun, was a Chinese geologist and social activist.
Ding was born into a wealthy family in Taixing
, Jiangsu Province. He went to study in Japan in 1902, and later studied in Britain, majoring in zoology and geology. In 1911, Ding graduated from University of Glasgow
. After returning to China, he taught at Nanyang Public School (now Shanghai Jiao Tong University
) in Shanghai
. In 1913, Ding became the geological section chief in Mining Administrative Bureau of Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and went to Shanxi
and Yunan
, conducting geological and mineral exploitation. In 1921, he became the general manager of the Beipiao Mining Company, and founded Chinese Geological Society. He served as vice president of the society, and was the editor-in-chief of "Chinese Palaeobiology". He published a paper, "Mythology and Science", in 1923, arguing with Zhang Junmai on science and philosophy, in which he fought against the view that "science is irrelevant to human philosophy". In 1925, Ding was appointed as the director of Shanghai Commercial Bureau. He represented Jiangsu provincial government to negotiate with foreign delegates to Shanghai. They signed "The Temporary Regulation on Reclamation of Juridical Rights in Shanghai by China" on August 1, 1926. In 1931, Ding became a professor of geology at Peking University
. Together with Weng Wenhao
and Zeng Shiying, he edited and published "New Geographic Map of the Republic of China", and "Provincial Maps of China". In June, 1934, Ding served as the chief staff of Academia Sinica
. When he was exploiting a coal mine in Hunan
in 1936, he was intoxicated by the coal gas. Fu Sinian
came from Beijing to take care of him. On January 5, Ding died in Xiangya Hospital in Changsha. Following his will, he was buried on Yuelu Mountain
.
Ding authored The Textbook of Zoology. His geological exploitation materials were compiled into Mr. Ding Wenjiang's Geological Investigation Report, and published in 1947. Ding was also the first Chinese scholar to systematically study the written words of Yi ethnicity
. Hu Shih
wrote Biography of Ding Wenjiang, and commented that he is "a most europeanized Chinese, and a most scientifically styled Chinese." (Hu Shih: The Guy Called Ding Wenjiang).
Ding was born into a wealthy family in Taixing
Taixing
Taixing is a county-level city in the municipal region of Taizhou, Jiangsu. It is located in the Yangtze River Delta. It is a newly developed coastal industrial city. The area of Taxing is 1253 square kilometres and the population is 1.29 million....
, Jiangsu Province. He went to study in Japan in 1902, and later studied in Britain, majoring in zoology and geology. In 1911, Ding graduated from University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. After returning to China, he taught at Nanyang Public School (now Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU), sometimes referred to as Shanghai Jiaotong University , is a top public research university located in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China...
) in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. In 1913, Ding became the geological section chief in Mining Administrative Bureau of Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and went to Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
and Yunan
Yunan
Yunan may refer to:in fictional characters* King Yunan, a character in One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk talesin places...
, conducting geological and mineral exploitation. In 1921, he became the general manager of the Beipiao Mining Company, and founded Chinese Geological Society. He served as vice president of the society, and was the editor-in-chief of "Chinese Palaeobiology". He published a paper, "Mythology and Science", in 1923, arguing with Zhang Junmai on science and philosophy, in which he fought against the view that "science is irrelevant to human philosophy". In 1925, Ding was appointed as the director of Shanghai Commercial Bureau. He represented Jiangsu provincial government to negotiate with foreign delegates to Shanghai. They signed "The Temporary Regulation on Reclamation of Juridical Rights in Shanghai by China" on August 1, 1926. In 1931, Ding became a professor of geology at Peking University
Peking University
Peking University , colloquially known in Chinese as Beida , is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial University of Peking in 1898 as a replacement of the...
. Together with Weng Wenhao
Weng Wenhao
Weng Wenhao was a Chinese geologist, educator, and paramount politician....
and Zeng Shiying, he edited and published "New Geographic Map of the Republic of China", and "Provincial Maps of China". In June, 1934, Ding served as the chief staff of Academia Sinica
Academia Sinica
The Academia Sinica , headquartered in the Nangang District of Taipei, is the national academy of Taiwan. It supports research activities in a wide variety of disciplines, ranging from mathematical and physical sciences, to life sciences, and to humanities and social sciences.Academia Sinica has...
. When he was exploiting a coal mine in Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
in 1936, he was intoxicated by the coal gas. Fu Sinian
Fu Sinian
Fù Sīnián , was a famous Chinese educator and linguist, and one of the leaders of the May Fourth Movement in 1919. He studied experimental psychology at University College, London from 1920-23. He was also one of the creators of the Academia Sinica, and was named director of the Institute of...
came from Beijing to take care of him. On January 5, Ding died in Xiangya Hospital in Changsha. Following his will, he was buried on Yuelu Mountain
Yuelu Mountain
Mount Yuelu is located on the west bank of Xiang River in Changsha, Hunan, China. Its main peak and the highest point, Yunlu Peak, is about 300 meters above the sea level....
.
Ding authored The Textbook of Zoology. His geological exploitation materials were compiled into Mr. Ding Wenjiang's Geological Investigation Report, and published in 1947. Ding was also the first Chinese scholar to systematically study the written words of Yi ethnicity
Yi people
The Yi or Lolo people are an ethnic group in China, Vietnam, and Thailand. Numbering 8 million, they are the seventh largest of the 55 ethnic minority groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China...
. Hu Shih
Hu Shih
Hu Shih , born Hu Hung-hsing , was a Chinese philosopher, essayist and diplomat. His courtesy name was Shih-chih . Hu is widely recognized today as a key contributor to Chinese liberalism and language reform in his advocacy for the use of written vernacular Chinese...
wrote Biography of Ding Wenjiang, and commented that he is "a most europeanized Chinese, and a most scientifically styled Chinese." (Hu Shih: The Guy Called Ding Wenjiang).