Tan Qixiang

Tan Qixiang (谭其骧, pronounced Tán Qíxiāng) (February 24, 1911 – August 28, 1992) was a prominent Chinese historical geographer and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is best known for his monumental eight-volume Historical Atlas of China (中国历史地图集), a comprehensive and authoritative cartographic work tracing the changing administrative divisions, place names, and physical environment of China from prehistory to the Qing Dynasty.

Born in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, Tan received his early education in Hangzhou. He graduated from the Department of History and Geography at Yenching University in 1930 and pursued further studies in history.

Tan's research focused on the historical geography of China, particularly the changes in administrative divisions, place names, and settlement patterns. His meticulous scholarship involved analyzing vast amounts of historical documents, gazetteers, and archaeological data. He painstakingly reconstructed the historical boundaries and locations of settlements, providing invaluable insights into the spatial organization of Chinese history.

The Historical Atlas of China, his magnum opus, published between 1955 and 1982, represents a lifelong dedication to understanding China's historical landscape. It is considered a seminal work and an indispensable resource for scholars of Chinese history, geography, and archaeology. The atlas meticulously details the administrative divisions and political boundaries of each historical period, allowing users to visualize the changing spatial dynamics of Chinese history. It also includes maps of important historical sites, transportation routes, and natural environments.

Beyond the Historical Atlas, Tan Qixiang authored numerous articles and books on historical geography, contributing significantly to the field. He served as a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai and mentored numerous students who have gone on to become leading scholars in their own right. He played a crucial role in establishing and developing historical geography as a recognized academic discipline in China.

Tan Qixiang's legacy extends far beyond his publications. He is remembered as a meticulous scholar, a dedicated teacher, and a pioneering figure in the field of historical geography. His work continues to inspire and inform scholarship on Chinese history and geography.