Hu Shih And China Foundation For The Promotion Of Education And Culture (1924--1949)

China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture, referred to as "the China Foundation", was a non-government institution for culture and education established in 1920s with the second remission of Boxer Rebellion reparations paid to the United States by China, which was composed by a total of 15 people for both sides to have custody and control of the second reparations. Most of Chinese members of the China Foundation were prominent figures of China’s cultural and educational circles. With this stable source of funding, they subsidized the development of culture and education, which was important for the modernization of China in early Twentieth century. As one of the leaders in cultural and educational circles, Hu Shih closely related to the China Foundation. By serving as the Director and Honorary Secretary for a long time, he engaged in the decision-making of major matters, making a great contribution to the survival and development of the institution. Without doubt, Hu Shih’s controlling over the China Foundation as an important academic resource also provided the necessary material base for his establishing and enhancing the position as a "scholar-tyrant".The research of the paper is mainly based on personal writings of Hu Shih and relevant historical records of the China Foundation. By the approach of historical division and monographic study, this paper tries to sort out the relationship between Hu Shih and the China Foundation, show his activities in the institution panoramically, and on this basis, analyze his networks and influence in it.The paper is structured as follows:Introduction:It will narrate the origin of the topic, review the research status of the topic within the necessary academic history and briefly describe the historical materials, research methods and the framework of the paper.Longitudinal studies:three chapters, namely chapter I, II and III.The first chapter consists of two sections. The first section briefly describes the process of two times of remission of Boxer Rebellion reparations returned by the United States, the establishment of the China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture, the activities of Hu Shih before and after the establishment of the Foundation. The second section focuses on the restructuring disturbance of the institution, describing the origin of the problem, Hu Shih’s solution in the process and his persistence of the principle of being independent.The second chapter consists of two sections. Section one discusses Hu Shi and the Compilation Committee of the China Foundation, introduces the main job performance of the Committee, and points out its significance to China’s translation industry and academic undertaking; While section two expounds the cooperation between Hu Shih and the China Foundation of Peking University on research funds, with an emphasis on the role he played in the process.The third chapter consists of three sections. The first section summarizes Hu Shih and the China Foundation during the wartime, and introduces his officeholding situation when serving with the committee to the United States; The second section focuses on existence or abolishment of the China Foundation during war of resistance against aggression, and introduces his main activities in this process; The third section discusses Hu Shih and the Foundation after the anti-Japanese war ended. It also introduces the second time of cooperation between the China Foundation and the Peking University led by Hu Shih, as well as his situation during the period of great change of the existence or abolishment of the institution.Horizontal analysis:two chapters, namely the fourth and fifth chapter.The fourth chapter consists of two sections. Section one analyzes the interpersonal networks (which is called "circle") of Hu Shih in the China Foundation, and defines the border and content of the "circle"; Section two explains his maintenance of the "circle", in which his role is called "repairman" and "pawn".The fifth chapter consists of three parts. The chapter probes into the power and influence of Hu Shih in the China Foundation, which will be discussed from his participation in the important issues, his control over part of resources and his position treasured by the outside world. It further points out the platform that the Foundation provided for him to play a role and to expand his influence, which is the essential condition that makes him a "scholar-tyrant".Conclusion:It will make responses to the relationship between foundations and academic development, as well as the relationship between Hu Shih’s academic status and the China Foundation.The research on Hu Shih and China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture is an accumulation of the research field of Hu Shih, which provides a reliable reference for the research of other relevant characters in the institution. It is expected that this paper will be helpful for promoting our understanding of the related historical facts, providing rich materials and fresh ideas for later researchers.