# Hu Shih

> Chinese scholar, writer and philosopher (1891–1962)

**Wikidata**: [Q47667](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47667)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_Shih)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hu-shih

## Summary
Hu Shih was a prominent Chinese scholar, writer, and philosopher, active from 1891 to 1962. He was a significant figure in Chinese intellectual history, known for his work in philosophy and his roles as a university teacher, diplomat, and journalist. Hu Shih held citizenship in both the Republic of China (1912–1949) and Taiwan.

## Biography
- Born: December 17, 1891
- Died: February 24, 1962
- Nationality: Republic of China (1912–1949), Taiwan
- Education: Cornell University, Columbia University, Teachers College (Columbia University)
- Known for: Contributions as a philosopher, writer, university teacher, diplomat, and journalist
- Employer(s): National University (Shanghai), Peking University
- Field(s): Philosophy

## Contributions
Hu Shih's contributions include his work as a writer and philosopher, with notable works identified by the Wikidata IDs Q9384311, Q11079688, and Q15926089. He served as a university teacher at institutions such as National University (Shanghai) and Peking University. Beyond academia, he also engaged in public life as a diplomat, journalist, and politician. His intellectual work was influenced by the American philosopher John Dewey.

## FAQs
**What were Hu Shih's primary occupations?**
Hu Shih held multiple significant roles throughout his life, including philosopher, writer, university teacher, diplomat, journalist, and politician. He contributed to both academic and public spheres.

**Which educational institutions did Hu Shih attend?**
Hu Shih pursued his education at several prominent American universities. He studied at Cornell University, Columbia University, and Teachers College, which is a graduate school of Columbia University.

**Where did Hu Shih work during his career?**
Hu Shih was employed as a university teacher at National University in Shanghai, China, and at Peking University in Beijing. He also held positions as a diplomat and journalist.

**What academic and literary societies was Hu Shih a member of?**
Hu Shih was a member of several distinguished organizations, including Academia Sinica, the Crescent Moon Society, a Chinese literary society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

**Which philosopher influenced Hu Shih's work?**
Hu Shih's philosophical thought and work were notably influenced by John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer.

## Why They Matter
Hu Shih's significance lies in his multifaceted contributions as a leading intellectual figure during a transformative period in Chinese history. As a philosopher and writer, he shaped discourse and thought, while his roles as a university teacher at institutions like Peking University helped educate a generation. His engagement as a diplomat and politician further demonstrates his impact on public affairs. Being influenced by John Dewey, Hu Shih likely played a role in introducing and adapting Western philosophical ideas into Chinese intellectual circles, contributing to the modernization of Chinese thought and education. His membership in prominent academic and literary societies underscores his broad influence and recognition across both Chinese and international intellectual communities.

## Notable For
*   Serving as a prominent Chinese scholar, writer, and philosopher.
*   Holding citizenship in both the Republic of China (1912–1949) and Taiwan.
*   Being a university teacher at National University (Shanghai) and Peking University.
*   His work as a diplomat, journalist, and politician.
*   Being influenced by the American philosopher John Dewey.
*   Membership in Academia Sinica, the Crescent Moon Society, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
*   Receiving numerous honorary doctorates, including from Columbia University, Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of California, Berkeley, Cornell University, and the University of Hong Kong, among many others.
*   Being associated with notable works identified by Wikidata IDs Q9384311, Q11079688, and Q15926089.
*   Being recognized with the Messenger Lectures at Cornell University.

## Body

### Early Life and Background
Hu Shih, also known by his aliases Hu Shi, 胡嗣穈 (birth name), 適之, and 希彊 (given name, courtesy name), was born on December 17, 1891. His birth occurred during the final decades of the Qing dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912. He lived until February 24, 1962. Hu Shih held citizenship in both the Republic of China, which existed from 1912 to 1949, and Taiwan, a country in East Asia established in 1912.

### Education and Academic Pursuits
Hu Shih pursued higher education in the United States. He was educated at Cornell University, a private and statutory land-grant research university in Ithaca, New York. He also attended Columbia University, a private university in New York City, and Teachers College, a graduate school of Columbia University. His primary field of work was philosophy. During his academic career, Hu Shih was notably influenced by the American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey.

### Professional Career and Affiliations
Hu Shih's career spanned multiple significant roles. He was a university teacher, holding positions at National University, a former university in Shanghai, China, and at Peking University, a prominent university in Beijing, China. Beyond academia, he also served as a diplomat, a journalist, and a politician.

He was a member of several distinguished organizations, reflecting his broad intellectual and cultural engagement. These included Academia Sinica, the national academy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Crescent Moon Society, a Chinese former literary society founded in 1923, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a United States honorary society and policy research center established in 1780.

### Works and Recognition
As a writer and philosopher, Hu Shih is associated with notable works identified by the Wikidata IDs Q9384311, Q11079688, and Q15926089. His contributions were widely recognized through numerous honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions across the United States, Canada, and beyond. These awards include:

*   honorary doctorate from Columbia University
*   honorary doctor of Harvard University
*   honorary doctor of Yale University
*   honorary doctor of the University of Chicago
*   honorary doctor of the University of Pennsylvania
*   honorary doctor of the University of Southern California
*   honorary doctor of the Wesleyan University
*   honorary doctor of the Duke University
*   honorary doctor of the Bryn Mawr College
*   honorary doctor of the Clark University
*   honorary doctorate from Brown University
*   honorary doctor of the Union College
*   honorary doctor of the University of California, Berkeley
*   honorary doctor of the University of Vermont
*   honorary doctorate from the McGill University
*   honorary doctor of the Lake Forest College
*   honorary doctor of the Dickinson College
*   honorary doctor of the Middlebury College
*   Honorary doctorate from University of Toronto
*   honorary doctor of the Dartmouth College
*   honorary doctor of the Denison University
*   honorary doctor of State University of New York
*   honorary doctor of the Ohio State University
*   honorary doctor of the University of Rochester
*   honorary doctor of the Oberlin College
*   honorary doctor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
*   honorary doctor of the University of Toledo
*   honorary doctor of the Northeastern University
*   honorary doctor of the Bucknell University
*   Honorary doctor of the University of Oxford
*   honorary doctor of the Colgate University
*   honorary doctor of the Claremont Graduate University
*   honorary doctor of the University of Hawaii
*   honorary doctor of the University of Hong Kong

He was also recognized with the Messenger Lectures, a series of lectures given at Cornell University by external lecturers.

### Identifiers and Digital Presence
Hu Shih is extensively documented across various international databases and platforms. His identifiers include ISNI: 0000000121387337, VIAF ID: 71426854, GND ID: 118945211, LCAuth: n80131442, BnF ID: 12141238x, SUDOC authorities: 029879574, NTA: n2004216136, NDL Auth: DA03088904, BNE ID: 00315501, ULAN ID: UBOV455858, NCL ID: 36602117, MusicBrainz artist: 98536b78-62f1-4882-983d-d9d4cc5dab5c, Freebase ID: /m/0lz2n, Open Library ID: OL1316991A, NKCR AUT: jn20011211256, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy ID: thinker/3248, SNAC ID: 61938, NARA ID: 107208636, SBN ID: 90581061, BIBSYS ID: A023813, CANTIC ID: 239296, Kalliope ID: 208657507, Britannica: biography/Hu-Shih, and numerous other specific identifiers from the National Central Library (NCL ID) and other archives. His Wikipedia title is "Hu Shih" and his Wikidata description is "Chinese scholar, writer and philosopher (1891–1962)". Images associated with him include "Hu Shih.jpg", "Hu Shih 1960 color.jpg", and "Tomb of Hu Shih 20120721b.jpg", with his signature available as "ECCP - 1943 - Hu Shih signature.svg".

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. [Source](https://pen-international.org/who-we-are/history/pen-presidents)
6. Draft of a Chronicle History of Mr. Hu Shih
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. MusicBrainz
10. SNAC
11. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. nobelprize.org
14. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12141238x)
15. CONOR.SI
16. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
17. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
18. [LIBRIS. 2006](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/20dgbvdl0986z2k)
19. Catalogo of the National Library of India