Zheng Tianting

Zheng Tianting (1899–1981), originally named Qingshen and styled Yisheng, was a native of Changle, Fujian, born in Beijing. A prominent modern Chinese historian and educator, he served as secretary-general and chair of the History Department at Peking University, and in 1952 transferred to Nankai University, where he chaired the History Department, served as vice president, and established the Research Office for Ming and Qing History. His scholarship focused on Ming and Qing history, historical source studies, and textual criticism; his works include Qing History Explorations, Collected Explorations, and A Brief History of the Qing. The library holds eight of his works, including the Dictionary of Chinese Literature, History and Philosophy, the Qing History volumes, his lecture notes on Qing and Ming history, and his Southwest Associated University diaries, reflecting his dual expertise in Ming and Qing studies and his emphasis on primary sources.