Lü Simian

Lü Simian (1884–1957), courtesy name Chengzhi, was a native of Wujin (present-day Changzhou), Jiangsu, and a renowned modern historian and educator. He taught for many years at Guanghua University and East China Normal University, and is known, together with Chen Yinke, Chen Yuan and Qian Mu, as one of the "Four Masters of Modern Historiography." His scholarship spanned ancient and modern times: he wrote general histories such as A Vernacular History of China and Lü's General History of China, dynastic histories including Pre-Qin History, Qin and Han History, Sui-Tang and Five Dynasties History, and History of the Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, as well as reading notes such as Lü Simian's Notes on Reading History. His works cover historical reading, Eastern philosophy and literary appreciation, and are valued for their rigorous argument, solid textual research and plain, accessible style.