Wenxiang

Wenxiang (born Oct. 16, 1818, Liaoyang, Liaoning province, China—died May 26, 1876, Beijing) was an official and statesman in the last years of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12), who took a lead in promoting Western studies, reforming the Chinese government, and introducing Western technology into China. In 1861 Wenxiang was appointed the first principal director of the Zongli Yamen, which acted as the Chinese foreign office. In this position, until his death, he became popular with...