Chinese historian and historical geographer Tan Qixiang PHOTO: INSTITUTE OF CHINESE HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY, FUDAN UNIVERSITY

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Tan Qixiang (1911–1992) was a prominent Chinese historian and historical geographer, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a foundational figure in the development of historical geography in China. He was the chief editor of the eight-volume Historical Atlas of China, which remains the most authoritative work of its kind. He also oversaw the compilation of the National Historical Atlas of the People’s Republic of China, and served as chief editor for several other major works, including The Physical Geography of China: Historical Physical Geography, the historical geography volume of the Cihai encyclopedia, and the Dictionary of Chinese History: Historical Geography Volume. His contributions were instrumental in laying the foundation for historical geography as a discipline in China. 

Edited by REN GUANHONG