Gu Jiegang

Gu Jiegang (1893-1980), also known by his former name Songkun and courtesy name (zi) Mingjian, was born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. He was a famous Chinese modern historian and folklore specialist. Gu Jiegang was recruited by Peking University as a preppie in 1913. In 1920, he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in philosophy and did cataloging work in Peking University Library as an assistant. During this period of time, he drafted the Methods of Re-cataloging Chinese Bibliography, proposing to disassemble series and make "Title Catalogue"; thereby he put forward the views of "School Catalogue" and "Classified Catalogue" and advised compiling "To Visit Catalogue". These suggestions played a part in improving the efficiency of library work. Gu Jiegang had served as a professor at Xiamen University, Zhongshan University, Yenching University, Peking University, Yunnan University and National Central University, the director of the Institute of History and Philology of Zhongshan University, and a fellow of the Academia Sinica successively. Since the founding of People’s Republic of China, he had acted as a professor at Fudan University, a research fellow of the Institute of History of Chinese Academy of Sciences, a vice chairman of Chinese Folk Literature and Art Research Association, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, and a member of China Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee, etc. Professor Gu Jiegang was the pathfinder of Chinese historical geography and folklore, the founder of the School of Ancient History Discrimination, and a prestigious historian at home and abroad. His main works include Ancient History Discrimination, The Suicide Note of Cui Dongbi, Contemporary Chinese Historiography, and A Brief Academic History of the Han Dynasty.

 

There are graphic and textual materials about Gu Jiegang in "Renowned Professors of Peking University".

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