Libraly Journal

Libraly Journal ›› 2024, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (403): 117-126.

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From a Merchant to a Bibliophile: Yu Songnian and His Collection of Books in Yi Jia Tang

Chen Xi (Ancient Books Preservation and Conservation Institute, Fudan University  Wang Hanxiao (School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)   


  • Online:2024-11-15 Published:2024-12-02
  • About author:Chen Xi (Ancient Books Preservation and Conservation Institute, Fudan University)Wang Hanxiao (School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract: Yu Songnian spared no effort to collect books, especially precious ancient books of the SongDynasty and the Yuan Dynasty after he obtained great wealth from the business . At the peak, he gatheredthe essence of private collections from all over China in Shanghai, totaling more than 100,000 volumes.In addition, he also collated these books and compiled them into the Yi Jia Tang Series accordinglybecame a supreme bibliophile during the period from Xianfeng emperor to Tongzhi emperor. The TaipingWar caused a great disaster in the history of private book collecting in China. At that time, Yu Songnianre-collected various missed books from other collectors in Jiangnan area, preserving many valuableancient books and further transforming his family to the role of “Confucian merchant. Yu Songnianscollections not only inherited the idea of only pursuing books published in the Song Dynasty from hispredecessors, but also were influenced by the idea that learning should be for practice, he collected notonly rare books published in the Song and Yuan Dynasties, but also a large number of practical books, aswell as many natural science books published by the West world, with a distinct brand of the times. Yuwas keen on charity and valued talents and education. He not only generously lent and engraved booksfor circulation, but also invested his personal collections in local education. After his death, his collectionof books became the source of such great book collectors as Lu Xinyuan and Ding Richang. It can be saidthat Yu Songnian played a key role in the history of private book collecting in China.