Zhang Zhongxing

Zhang Zhongxing (1909–2006), originally named Zhang Xuan, was a native of Xianghe, Hebei, and a renowned scholar, essayist, and philologist. He graduated from the Department of Chinese at Peking University in 1935 and worked for many years at the People's Education Press, taking part in compiling middle-school Chinese textbooks. A prolific writer throughout his life, he worked in both scholarship and the essay, and is the author of such books as Suohua under the Sun, On Following Life, and Discussing Chan from Outside Chan. His essays often recall people and events of the past; their prose is plain and gentle, revealing learning and temperament through informal talk. His scholarly works touch on the philosophy of life, Buddhism, and Chinese language education, arguing plainly and agreeably. The library holds fifteen of his works, including The Complete Works of Zhang Zhongxing (14 volumes), covering titles such as Suohua under the Sun and Its Sequel, Fleeting Shadows, A Third Series of Suohua under the Sun and Miscellaneous Essays, Talks on Reading and Writing Poetry and Caomu of Dreams, Classical and Vernacular Chinese, and On Following Life and Random Notes on Seeking the Way. These show the breadth of his subjects and are often classed as classic works and literary appreciation.