Obituaries: Gu Jiegang (1893--1980)

Gu Jiegang was one of China's most eminent historians and an important figure in the post--May Fourth "New Culture Movement." Born on May 8, 1893, into Suzhou scholar-gentry, he received a traditional education and entered Beijing University in 1913 whence he graduated in 1920. He was impressed by both the Hang teachings of Zhang Taiyuan and the heterodox "new text" ideas of Kang Youwei, particularly those dealing with the alleged forgeries of the classics during the Xin and Han periods. He subsequently formed a skeptical view of ancient documents and historical cliches and took his place within the Yigu-(doubting antiquity)...