Language Chinese Name Liu E Genre Illustrated fiction | Period late Qing era Nationality Chinese Role Writer | |
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Born 18 October 1857
Dantu, Jiangsu ( 1857-10-18 ) Pen name Hong Du Bai Lian Sheng
Chinese: 鸿都百炼生 Occupation Writer, scholar, politician Died August 23, 1909, Urumqi, China Books The Travels of Lao Can, The Travels of Lao Ts'an People also search for Zeng Pu, Wu Jianren, Wu Jingzi | ||
The Telephone Book @ 25 - Friday Session Two: H. de Vries, L. Liu, E. Weed, C. Smith
Liu E (simplified Chinese: 刘鹗; traditional Chinese: 劉鶚; pinyin: Liú È; Wade–Giles: Liu E; also spelled Liu O; 18 October 1857 – 23 August 1909), courtesy name Tieyun (simplified Chinese: 铁云; traditional Chinese: 鐵雲; pinyin: Tiěyún; Wade–Giles: T'ieh-yün), was a Chinese writer, archaeologist and politician of the late Qing Dynasty.
Contents
- The Telephone Book 25 Friday Session Two H de Vries L Liu E Weed C Smith
- Government and politics
- Literature
- Oracle bone archeology and scholarship
- Exile and death
- References
Government and politics
Liu was a native of Dantu (modern day Zhenjiang). In the government he worked with flood control, famine relief, and railroads. He became disillusioned with official ideas of reform and became a proponent of private economic development modeled after western systems. During the Boxer Uprising he speculated in government rice, distributing it to the poor. He was cashiered for these efforts, but shrewd investments had left him wealthy enough to follow his pioneering archaeological studies and to write fiction.
Literature
The language in Liu E's novels borrowed illusions and images from classical Chinese literature and Liu E used symbolism in his novels. Therefore, his works appealed to readers who had a classical education and were considered sophisticated in their society.
One of Liu's best known works is The Travels of Lao Can.
Oracle bone archeology and scholarship
Liu collected five thousand oracle bone fragments, published the first volume of examples and rubbings in 1903, and correctly identified thirty-four oracle bone script characters.
Exile and death
Liu was framed for malfeasance related to his work during the Boxer Rebellion and was exiled in 1908, dying within the next year in Dihua of the Xinjiang Province (today known as Ürümqi).