Zhang Baixi
Encyclopedia
Zhang Baixi (1847 — March 30, 1907) was an Chinese politician during the late Qing Dynasty
who is famous of initializing the education reform. He was considered to be the "father of university" in China. Both the Peking University
and the Beijing Normal University
respect him as a founder and president.
Zhang Baixi was born in Changsha County
of Hunan province. In 1874, he earned a Jinshi degree and was elevated to the Hanlin Academy
. As high administrator for many years, Zhang Baixi advocated profound political, economical and educational reforms. After the Boxer Rebellion
, Zhang proposed to reopen the Imperial Capital University (京師大學堂, former Peking University) founded in 1898. In 1902, Zhang drafted the "Authorized School Regulation" (《欽定學堂章程》, alternatively called Ren-Yin Educational system (壬寅學制)) which was later promulgated by Qing government. In 1904, Zhang participated establishment of the "Presented School Regulation" (《奏定學堂章程》, or called "Gui-Mao Educational System" (癸卯學制)), which was the first modern Chinese educational system in history. Zhang died in Beijing in 1907.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
who is famous of initializing the education reform. He was considered to be the "father of university" in China. Both the 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...
and the Beijing Normal University
Beijing Normal University
Beijing Normal University , colloqiually known as 北师大 or Beishida, is a public research university located in Beijing with strong emphasis on basic disciplines of humanities and sciences...
respect him as a founder and president.
Zhang Baixi was born in Changsha County
Changsha County
Changsha County is a part of Changsha city, the capital of Hunan province in China. As of 2006 it had a population of 750,500.-Administrative divisions:...
of Hunan province. In 1874, he earned a Jinshi degree and was elevated to the Hanlin Academy
Hanlin Academy
The Hanlin Academy was an academic and administrative institution founded in the eighth century Tang dynasty China by Emperor Xuanzong.Membership in the academy was confined to an elite group of scholars, who performed secretarial and literary tasks for the court. One of its main duties was to...
. As high administrator for many years, Zhang Baixi advocated profound political, economical and educational reforms. After the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
, Zhang proposed to reopen the Imperial Capital University (京師大學堂, former Peking University) founded in 1898. In 1902, Zhang drafted the "Authorized School Regulation" (《欽定學堂章程》, alternatively called Ren-Yin Educational system (壬寅學制)) which was later promulgated by Qing government. In 1904, Zhang participated establishment of the "Presented School Regulation" (《奏定學堂章程》, or called "Gui-Mao Educational System" (癸卯學制)), which was the first modern Chinese educational system in history. Zhang died in Beijing in 1907.
Reference
Xiaoqing Diana Lin. (SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture) Peking University, Chinese Scholarship and Intellectuals, 1898-1937. ISBN10 0-7914-6321-4; ISBN13 978-0-7914-6321-5- Draft History of Qing