A Study Of Wang Anshi By British Scholar H.R.Williamson In The Early 20th Century

Since the beginning of the 20th century,domestic and foreign scholars of the history of the Song Dynasty have carried out large-scale reviews and reflections on the previous studies,and fruitful results have been achived.However,it is undeniable that the current construction of academic history in the study of the history of the Song dynasty still has obvious deficiencies.The review of the European and American studies of the Song and History has predominantly focused on the results of the latter half of the 20th century,meanwhile,the previous studies are less discussed.Such academic history is obviously incomplete,and it is difficult to truly show the academic development.Specific to the study on Wang Anshi,the research achievements of the domestic academic community have so far established a relatively complete academic history,however the study of Wang Anshi's research in the European and American academic circles is still being unsatisfactory.In the 1930s,the British scholar Henry Raymond Williamson published Wang An Shih,a Chinese Statesman and Educationalist of the Sung Dynasty,in this book he made a comprehensive study of Wang Anshi.This book aroused great echoes in the academic community.However,it is regrettable that in the current study of academic history,This very book is unknown in Chinese academic circles.This phenomenon also reflects the lack of attention paid by the Chinese academia to the European and American study of Wang Anshi in the early period.In view of this,through in-depth analysis of' Williamson's Wang An Shih,a Chinese Statesman and Educationalist of the Sung Dynasty,this thesis analyzes the research achievement of Williamson,and explores the academic value and historical significance of this book.The main contents include the following:The main purpose of chapter one is to sketch out the research achievements of Wang Anshi from European and American scholars in the first half of the 20th century.By means of analyzing and summarizing the views of John Calvin Ferguson,Otto Franke,Charles W.Allan and other scholars,the main achievements and characteristics of scholars in the research field of Wang Anshi can be revealed.Chapter two is a detailed explanation of the image of Wang Anshi written by Williamson.The first part is an introduction of the origin of Williamson's life and academic thought;the second part is a detailed description of the image of Wang Anshi as "a statesman" and "an educationalist" respectively based on Wang An Shih,a Chinese Statesman and Educationalist of the Sung Dynasty.Chapter three is an analyzsis of the value and deficiency of this book and a discussion of the significance and limitation of this book from the double dimensions of academic thinking and cultural exchange.The main conclusions include the following three points:1)It reflected the impact of textual research during the Qianlong and Jiaqing period and the new historical method of Liang Qichao on Western scholars.In the preparation of this book,Williamson is greatly influenced by the spirit and methods of the aforementioned Chinese academia,which features advocating truth-seeking suspicion,using a large number of persuasive evidence to prove the problem and critically interpreting traditional historical materials.When quoting historical sources,Williamson emphasized the position of historical material compilers,critically cited materials,and sticked to prudent and realistic academic attitudes.2)Wang Anshi's works were well translated.Prior to Williamson.Prior to Williamson,there had been few Western scholars who specialized in the study of Wang Anshi,not to mention the translation of Wang Anshi's works.While in Williamson's book,Wang Anshi's 28 proses were translated into English,plus the direct quotation and referral of Wang Anshi's poetries and memorials,etc.His effort greatly filled the gap in the translation of Wang Anshi's works.It also provided a valuable sample for Chinese scholars to study the translation of literature.3)The more realistic image of China were fully demonstrated.In the book,Williamson heavily dwelled on the background of the times of the Northern Song Dynasty,which made it easy for English readers to understand the political and social characteristics of ancient China.Unlike early business trips and colonialists who arbitrarily distort China's image,Williamson wrote this book based on Chinese traditional books and records,supported by well-known Chinese and foreign scholars' studies,coupled with his rigorous academic attitude and rich experience in China.