H. C. Zen (; 1886–1961) was a Chinese politician, academic and educator who served as president of National Sichuan University from 1935–1937. He was a professor of Chemistry and served as vice president of what is now

Nanjing University Nanjing University (NJU) is a public university in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It is affiliated and sponsored by the Ministry of Education. The university is part of Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class Construction. The univers ...

from 1923–1925. He was a founding member of the

Science Society of China The Science Society of China (, 1915-1960) was a major science organization in the modern history of China. It was initiated by Chinese students at Cornell University in 1914, including P.C. King, H. C. Zen, Zhou Ren, Hsingfo Yang and later re ...

, a major science organization in the modern history of China initiated by Chinese students at

Cornell University Cornell University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson W ...

in 1914, and served as its president from 1914 to 1923.

Biography

He earned a Bachelor's in chemistry from Cornell in 1916 and a Master's from

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

in 1917.

Chen Hengzhe and her husband Ren Hongjun Peking University Alumni

Prior to his studies in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, he served as the secretary of

Sun Yat-sen Sun Yat-senUsually known as Sun Zhongshan () in Chinese; also known by Names of Sun Yat-sen, several other names. (; 12 November 186612 March 1925) was a Chinese physician, revolutionary, statesman, and political philosopher who founded the Republ ...

, the founding father of the

Republic of China Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

while he was the Provisional President in 1912. During his lifetime, he had served in various government agencies and offices and had helped to promote science in China, including serving as secretary general of the

Academia Sinica Academia Sinica (AS, ; zh, t=中央研究院) is the national academy of the Taiwan, Republic of China. It is headquartered in Nangang District, Taipei, Nangang, Taipei. Founded in Nanjing, the academy supports research activities in mathemat ...

from 1938 to 1942. He was married to

Chen Hengzhe Chen Hengzhe (; 12 July 1890 – 1976), pen name Sophia H. Z. Chen (), was a pioneering writer in modern vernacular Chinese literature, a leader in the New Culture Movement, and the first female professor at a Chinese university. Chen is known f ...

, who was the first woman to be a professor at a Chinese university. His eldest daughter was the historian E-tu Zen Sun. His son was geologist E-An Zen.

References

Scientists from Chongqing Cornell University alumni Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni Academic staff of Sichuan University Academic staff of Nanjing University Commercial Press people Presidents of Sichuan University 1886 births 1961 deaths Secretaries to Sun Yat-sen {{China-academic-bio-stub