📚【Public Lecture｜Open to All】Qian Mu's Former Residence Su Shu Lou Lecture Hall – Cultural Reading Series: "Reading Lü Simian: Six Textbooks by Mr. Lü Simian for Higher Elementary Schools", Professor Fu Kechang, April 25, 2026
🚪Any door of registration website:
https://www.beclass.com/rid=30525d369ab6cf613e71
Mr. Lu Simian (1884-1957) was an important historian and educator in modern China. He was rigorous in his academic research and read the Twenty-Four Histories many times, but he was not satisfied with the Qianlong and Jiaqing textual research, but was committed to integrating it into his own thinking. He advocated that learning should be combined with reality and opposed academic pursuit for the sake of academic pursuit. However, he stayed away from politics and lived a simple life. He once said: "In conducting myself, I always take the ancient sages and scholars as my role models", but he also said that he was "deeply convinced" of Marxism-Leninism. However, it is well known that Mr. Lu is diligent and honest in his studies and is undoubtedly a scholar with his own unique ideas. Therefore, these seemingly tortuous thoughts and attitudes mentioned above actually reflect a specific context of the times and also demonstrate a transcendent life type.
During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, when China abolished the imperial examination system and began establishing a new education system, various privately produced textbooks proliferated. In the chaotic years of warlordism and the War of Resistance against Japan, over a hundred sets of textbooks for elementary Chinese alone were published. Numerous renowned scholars, educators, and outstanding editors flocked to the field, vying for their support. As contemporary commentaries noted, these scholars and editors viewed the publication of textbooks as far more than simply providing students with textbooks; they hoped to bring about new educational reforms through textbooks, thereby playing a revolutionary role in Chinese schools and society as a whole.
Mr. Lü Simian, who dedicated his life to education and scholarship, also made significant contributions to this movement. As early as the beginning of the Republic of China, he devoted himself to textbook compilation, drawing upon his academic foundation and teaching experience. He compiled and published sixteen types of textbooks for primary and secondary schools. For example, the first volume of his "New-Style Chinese Textbook for Higher Primary Schools" was reprinted seventy times in the eight years following its initial publication; and of the 166 lessons in the complete set, he personally wrote 123 texts. Furthermore, he devoted himself to subjects such as history, geography, and ethics.
Of particular note is his compilation of "teacher's books." These "teacher's books," similar to today's teacher's manuals, were intended as a reference for teachers. When Mr. Lü was writing them for history, he considered the hard work teachers put into lesson preparation, thus "exhaustively researching and detailing everything so that it's easy to understand at a glance"; he also appreciated the difficulty teachers faced in acquiring books, so he "collected the essence of various books and compiled them into one volume"; furthermore, "under each item, he clearly indicated the source book to ensure accurate transmission," and "all historical events included in the lessons were listed; ensuring that teachers understood the content." From these examples, we can easily imagine that these teacher's books were essentially the essence of Mr. Lü's scholarship and teaching, and their compilation and selection undoubtedly reflected his philosophical views.
Volumes 22 to 24 of the Complete Works of Lü Simian include six textbooks compiled by Mr. Lü for "higher primary schools" during the Republican era. On April 25, 2016, at the Su Shu Lou Lecture Hall, we invite you to join Professor Fu Kechang in returning to the publishing houses of early Republican Shanghai to gain insights into the essence of knowledge from Mr. Lü's meticulously crafted texts, and to explore his mission, philosophy, and practices in education.
📆Lecture Time: April 25th, 2016 (Saturday), 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏡Lecture Location:
Room C508, 5F, Qinpu Building, Boai Campus, Taipei City University (No. 1, Aiguo West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City)
"Qian Mu's Former Residence - Open Course Channel" (Live Online Broadcast)
https://www.youtube.com/@chienmu.house.classroom
👨🏫Lecture Speaker: Professor Fu Kechang
🔔Lecture Fee: Free admission
🚀Online lecture information:
After the lecture begins, the live stream link will be announced on the "Qian Mu's Former Residence YouTube Channel" and the "Qian Mu's Former Residence Facebook Fan Page". Feel free to leave comments and participate in the discussion!
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# Lü Simian # Republic of China Textbook
# History Education # Educational Transformation
# Higher Elementary School Textbook # Professor's Book
# Higher Elementary School Textbook # Professor's Book
# Chinese Language Textbook # History Textbook
# Geography Textbook # Moral Education Textbook
# New Education # Textbook Research
# Late Qing Dynasty and Early Republican Era Education System # Teaching Essentials
# Lü Chengzhi # Lü Simian Complete Collection
# physical course # online course
# Free Event # Classic Guide
# Fu Kechang # Qian Mu's Former Residence # Su Shu Lou Lecture Hall
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📚【Public Lecture｜Open to All】Qian Mu's Former Residence Su Shu Lou Lecture Hall – Cultural Reading Series: "Reading Lü Simian: Six Textbooks by Mr. Lü Simian for Higher Elementary Schools", Professor Fu Kechang, April 25, 2026
