Hans Bielenstein

Quick Facts: Who was Hans Bielenstein?

Subject:

Hans Bielenstein

Known for:

Swedish sinologist specializing in the administrative and economic history of early imperial China.

Born:

1920-04-08

Died:

2015-03-08

Century / Era:

1920s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hans Henrik August Bielenstein (8 April 1920 − 8 March 2015) was a Swedish sinologist and Dean Lung Professor Emeritus from Columbia University specialising in the history of the Han dynasty. Hans Henrik August Bielenstein was born on 8 April 1920 in Stockholm, Sweden. He attended private school in Stockholm and took the matriculation exam in 1939. After the outbreak of the Winter War, 1939–40, he joined the Swedish Voluntary Corps as a commando and fought the Russians in Finnish Lapland. After his return, he entered the Guards Regiment.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1945, he decided to devote himself to Chinese studies and earned a Ph.D. in sinology at Stockholm University. He studied history and oriental studies under the tutelage of the renowned Bernhard Karlgren. He earned his master's degree in 1945 and his licentiate in 1947. He spent the year of 1952 as a research visitor at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1952, Bielenstein was appointed head of the School of Oriental Languages in Canberra University College in Canberra, Australia (since 1960 part of Australian National University).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Bielenstein was the first professor of modern or classical Chinese language anywhere in Australia. As Head of the School of Oriental Studies, he built up departments for the languages, literatures and history of China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. In 1961, he moved to Columbia University in New York City. From 1969 to 1977 he was chairman of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. He was a Guggenheim fellow in 1967–1968, became a Corresponding Member of the Royal Academy of Literature, History, and Antiquity of Sweden in 1980, being appointed to the Dean Lung Chair of Chinese at Columbia University in 1985.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1920 (1920-04-08): Birth of Hans Bielenstein — Swedish sinologist specializing in the administrative and economic history of early imperial China.
2. 1939: 1939 Milestone — He attended private school in Stockholm and took the matriculation exam in 1939.
3. 1945: 1945 Milestone — In 1945, he decided to devote himself to Chinese studies and earned a Ph.
4. 1952: 1952 Milestone — He spent the year of 1952 as a research visitor at the University of California, Berkeley.
5. 1961: 1961 Milestone — In 1961, he moved to Columbia University in New York City.
6. 1967: 1967 Milestone — He was a Guggenheim fellow in 1967–1968, became a Corresponding Member of the Royal Academy of Literature, History, and Antiquity of Sweden in 1980, being appointed to the Dean Lung Chair of Chinese at Columbia University in 1985.
7. 1969: 1969 Milestone — From 1969 to 1977 he was chairman of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.
8. 2015 (2015-03-08): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hans Bielenstein passed away on 2015-03-08, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hans Bielenstein

True or False: “Hans Bielenstein's primary area of historical focus was the late Tang Dynasty period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His main concentration was on the administrative and economic history of early imperial China, specifically from the Han dynasty to the Song dynasty.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hans Bielenstein