Study On W.A.P.Martin's Sinology Based On The Evolution Of Early American Sinology

W.A.P.Martin served as the head of the Tongwen College and the western general president of Imperial University of Peking of the Qing Government.He had been engaged in education for 40 years.There are six aspects about the sinological achievements in his whole life:First,under the influence of modern western method of humanities,Dr.Martin attaches great importance to the interpretation of Confucianism,Buddhism,Taoism.He was the first to interpret the culture of Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism in the history of American Sinology,which was based on Chinese classics and the study of social reality.Secondly,W.A.P.Martin spoke highly of Chinese literature as “magnificent literary monument”.He was keen on spreading Chinese culture,Chinese ideas,and Chinese image to the West,thus promoting the spreading of Chinese literature in the United States.In the history of the early development of Sinology in the United States,Dr.Martin was the pioneer and founder of researching and translating Chinese literature.Third,Dr.Martin enthusiastically praised and promoted the 5,000-year history of civilization of the Chinese nation.In the history of Western Sinology,he was the first person who combed the history of modern China from the Opium War to the birth of the Republic of China with a clear concept of modernization.He was a witness of Chinese history during this period,so his correlative records are of great value of historical materials.Fourth,focusing on modernized emerging disciplines and practical knowledge,W.A.P.Martin translated a large number of Western treatises,most of which were the first translations of monographs on Western science,technology,law and economics.For the construction of related emerging disciplines in modern China his Chinese expressions on related theories,concepts,nouns,and content are of the innovative and reference significance.Therefore,Dr.Martin's translations of Western treatises also own its important sinological significance.Fifth,Dr.Martin founded the Chinese journals The Peking Magazine and New Monthly Report to vigorously disseminate “applied learning”,which not only posed a positive impact on the “self-strengthening movement” and the “Reform Movement”,but also promoted the sinology studies to a higher level.Sixth,as the first president of the Peking Oriental Society,a Sinology research institution,Dr.Martin advocated the study of all areas of Sinology in the spirit of free speculation.The Peking Oriental Society has made remarkable achievements in expanding the research field and methods of Sinology,doing academic innovation,which has largely departed from the negative influence of Western religions.Dr.Martin also has his various weaknesses and deficiencies,which should be explained more from the perspective of the historical conditions and historical limitations of his era.In the history of the early development of Sinology in the United States,the founding,foundation and preliminary development of American Sinology were mainly completed by American sinologists in China in the Qing Dynasty.W.A.P.Martin can be called a master with outstanding achievements in the history of Sinology.The important contribution and positive impact it has made on the cultural intercommunion between the West and China is not only worth ample recognition,but still boasts of practical reference significance.