Li Da

Li Da (1890–1966), styled Heming, was a native of Lingling, Hunan. A Marxist philosopher and educator, he was one of the principal founders of the Communist Party of China. He edited the monthly Communist and devoted himself over the long term to the study and dissemination of Marxist theory, authoring works such as An Outline of Sociology, An Outline of Materialist Dialectics, and An Exposition of "On Practice." After the founding of New China, he served as president of Hunan University and Wuhan University. The library holds twelve of his works, spanning medicine, social culture, social science, world history, military affairs, and examinations. These range from theoretical writings such as the New Outline of Sociology to medical practice texts such as Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Purpura and Collected Experience of Professor Liang Bing, as well as translations and introductions on world history and military affairs, including Byzantine Strategy and Tactics, The Byzantine Gift, and The World of the Vikings. His writing combines theoretical reflection with the popularization of knowledge, reflecting a cross-disciplinary scholarly concern.