Cai Yuanpei

Cai Yuanpei
蔡元培
President of the Control Yuan
In office
1928–1929
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byZhao Daiwen [zh]
President of the Academia Sinica
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byZhu Jiahua
Personal details
Born11 January 1868 (1868-01-11)
Shaoxing, Zhejiang, Qing dynasty
Died5 March 1940 (1940-03-06) (aged 72)
British Hong Kong
Spouses
  • Wang Zhao
    (m. 1889; died 1900)
  • Huang Zhongyu
    (m. 1902, died)
  • Zhou Jun
    (m. 1923⁠–⁠1940)
Children7 (including Cai Weilian)
ParentCai Guang (father)
Alma materLeipzig University
OccupationPhilosopher, politician
Chinese name
Chinese蔡元培
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinCài Yuánpéi
Gwoyeu RomatzyhTsay Yuanpeir
Wade–GilesTs'ai4 Yüan2-p'ei2
IPA[tsʰâɪ ɥɛ̌npʰěɪ]
Courtesy name
Traditional Chinese鶴卿
Simplified Chinese鹤卿
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHèqīng
Gwoyeu RomatzyhHehching
Wade–GilesHo-ch'ing
Second alternative Chinese name
Chinese孑民
Literal meaningLone Citizen
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJiémín
Gwoyeu RomatzyhJyemin
Wade–GilesChieh-min

Cai Yuanpei (Chinese: 蔡元培; 1868–1940) was a Chinese philosopher and politician who was an influential figure in the history of Chinese modern education. He made contributions to education reform with his own education ideology. He was the president of Peking University, and founder of the Academia Sinica. He was known for his critical evaluation of Chinese culture and synthesis of Chinese and Western thinking, including anarchism. He got involved in the New Culture, May Fourth Movements, and the feminist movement. His works involve aesthetic education, politics, and education reform.