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Renowned Historian Hsu Cho-yun Passes Away at 95

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Renowned historian Hsu Cho-yun, professor emeritus of history and sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, has passed away at 95 in Pittsburgh, the United States. Over the past decades, Hsu has influenced generations of scholars and lay readers from home and abroad, particularly with his studies of early Chinese periods such as the Western Zhou (c.11th century-771 BC), Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties. His work has left a lasting impact on the field of ancient Chinese social and cultural history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hsu Cho-yun was born in September 1930 in Xiamen, Fujian province, and raised in Jiangnan, which encompasses the southern regions in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
  • He received training in both China and the US, specializing in ancient Chinese social and cultural history.
  • Hsu was a prolific academic, publishing influential works such as "China: A New Cultural History" and "Western Chou Civilizations and Han Agriculture: The Formation of Early Chinese Agrarian Economy (206 BC-AD 220)".
  • He taught and lectured at higher education institutions including Duke University, Taiwan University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he worked for 30 years on the faculty.
  • Hsu dedicated his later years to summarizing, revising, and expanding upon his scholarly works, creating a prolific output in publications.
  • He emphasized the importance of understanding the historical positions of both China and the US, sharing his reflections on social media and offering encouragement and support for young people.

Statistics:

  • Hsu Cho-yun lived for 95 years.
  • He was born in 1930 and passed away in 2025.
  • Hsu reached the status of full professor at the University of Pittsburgh in 1971.
  • He spent 30 years on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh.
  • Hsu's representative academic works include "China: A New Cultural History" and "Western Chou Civilizations and Han Agriculture: The Formation of Early Chinese Agrarian Economy (206 BC-AD 220)".

Sources:

  • China Internet Information Center
  • China Daily
  • http://www.china.org.cn/2025-08/05/content_118011026.shtml

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