Xu Chaoyun, professor emeritus of history and sociology at the Dietrich School of Literature, has been awarded the prestigious Tang China Studies Prize.
The prize is awarded every two years by the Tang Prize Foundation in four categories: Sustainable Development, Biomedical Sciences, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Laureates are chosen by an independent selection committee and receive a cash prize of $1.7 million and a research grant of $350,000. The Tang Prize in Sinology recognizes multidisciplinary research on China with a focus on Chinese culture and its influence.
During his three decades as a professor at Pitt, Xu wrote a wide range of influential works on Chinese history and culture.
“Of course, I’m very happy. I don’t take a lot of things for granted,” Xu said. “I’ve written about 30 books and about 100 papers. I’m proud that all these pieces have come together to paint a coherent picture.”
“I congratulate Xu Chaoyun on receiving the Tang Prize in Chinese Studies, which culminates decades of outstanding research and scholarship,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel.
Born in Xiamen, China in 1930, Mr. Xu received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from National Taiwan University and his doctorate from the University of Chicago. He began his career at Pitt in 1970 and was appointed Professor Emeritus in 1999.
Xu uses various academic perspectives in his research, such as approaching history through archaeology, sociology, anthropology, literature, and philosophy, and incorporating statistical and scientific approaches. As part of his research, he has proposed a “network theory” that uses transportation networks to explain long-term socio-economic trends, and has also conducted comparative studies comparing Chinese history with Europe, ancient Egypt, Mesopotamian civilization, and other regions.
His books, “Ancient China in Transition,” “A History of Western Zhou Civilization,” and “Han Farming” have all been influential in the study of Chinese history. He was also involved in the curriculum reform of the Department of History at National Taiwan University in the 1960s, and was an advocate and advisor for Taiwan’s democratic transition. He is a member of Academia Sinica, and in 2004 received the Outstanding Contribution to Asian Studies Award from the Association for Asian Studies.
Xu’s drive to learn has never faded, and now at age 94 and unable to use all but two of his fingers, he continues his research with the help of assistive technology and helpers.
“Life is long,” he said. “Life isn’t easy, but I get through it, mostly because I have a wonderful wife.”
Pitwire
