Peking University, Dec. 16, 2011: Peking University Library is offering a special exhibition to commemorate the 120th birthday of Hu Shih - the famous Chinese philosopher, essayist and diplomat - starting from December 14th. The exhibition is displayed in Sunshine Hall; photos and other precious historic materials will be on view, presenting Hu’s life works in different fields such as “modern poems”, “translations of short stories” and so on.

As a renowned figure in Chinese modern history, Hu Shih had powerful impacts on Chinese modern culture, ideology, academia and politics. Among his achievements, Hu is particularly recognized as a key contributor to Chinese liberalism and language reform. In 1929, he was appointed as PKU’s provost and then as PKU’s president in 1946. During his teaching and working here, he built a genuine connection to this university and made massive contributions to its modern development. Later in 1957 he made his will in New York, announcing that he would donate all his books and materials left in Beijing to PKU Library, which amounted to 102 bookcases in total.

The exhibition is held not only to commemorate Hu’s contributions to Peking University, but also to provide an opportunity for students to know Hu Shih and his works better and inspire a spiritual “communication” between this historic master and the young generation.

Written by: Liao Songyuan
Edited by: Li Xiaomeng
Source: PKU News (Chinese)