Lin Gan

Lin Gan (1916–2017), a native of Xinhui, Guangdong, born in Shanghai, was a professor at the Institute of Mongolian History at Inner Mongolia University. He devoted himself to the study of the history of ancient northern peoples in China and was particularly known for his work on Xiongnu history, authoring A General History of the Xiongnu, A History of the Turks, and A History of the Donghu, among other works. He received a special government allowance from the State Council and was elected a deputy to the Seventh National People's Congress. In biography and historical writing, his works focus mainly on Qing emperors and powerful ministers, including The Grand Biography of Zeng Guofan, The Regent Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng: The Transformation of Power and a Life of Reform, and Absolute Imperial Authority: The Emperor's Mindset in the Kangxi–Qianlong Prosperous Age and The Contest Between Ruler and Minister: Qing Emperors and Factions, reconstructing personal choices through the workings of power and institutional context with a balance of source-based research and readability. Public information about his life and writing career is limited.