【Haichuan. Pioneers of the Chemical Industry】18 Xu Shou – The person who gave Chinese character names to chemical elements
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Xu Shou (February 26, 1818 – September 24, 1884), styled Xuecun and also known as Shengyuan, was from Beixiang, Wuxi, Jiangsu. Born into a declining landlord family on the outskirts of Wuxi. His father passed away when he was 5, and he was raised by his mother. When he was 17, his mother died again. Having lost his father at a young age and growing up in poverty, he developed qualities of hard work and honesty and simplicity. As later generations described him, “He was naturally honest and simple, able to endure hardship; living in a shelter that could only protect him from wind and rain, he found joy in the countryside. He would walk for dozens of miles without showing any sign of fatigue, never feeling old or tired.” This aspiration motivated him to study more proactively and diligently. He studied a wide range of scientific knowledge; he read books on all fields such as science, music theory, geometry, mechanics, minerals, steam engines, medicine, optics, and electricity. These books became companions in his life, and reading became the most important activity of his day. In this way, he gradually acquired a lot of scientific knowledge. Throughout his life, Xu Shou was in charge of the design and development of steam turbines at the armories in Anqing and Nanjing, achieving remarkable results. In the sixth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing dynasty (1867), he was sent by Zeng Guofan to Shanghai together with his son Xu Jianyin, to assist in running the Jiangnan Machinery Manufacturing Bureau and work on the development of steam ships. Initiatives were taken to establish a translation office, which was officially set up in the seventh year of the Tongzhi era. With the collaboration of British missionaries such as Alexander Ward and Robert Hart, 13 scientific and technical works were translated and published. Among them were 6 works on modern Western chemistry, totaling 63 volumes, including titles such as \"Chemical Principles,\" \"Continuation of Chemical Principles,\" \"Supplement to Chemical Principles,\" \"Analysis of Chemical Properties,\" \"Calculation in Chemistry,\" and \"On the Transformation of Heat in Objects.\" These works introduced modern Western chemical knowledge to China in a systematic manner. The Chinese translations for sodium, calcium, nickel, zinc, manganese, cobalt, magnesium, and others that were created back then are still in use to this day.
\"Chemical Identification Principles\" was translated by Xu Shou, a chemist from the Qing dynasty in China, based on the inorganic chemistry section of a British textbook titled \"Well’s Principles of Chemistry\". This book is one of the volumes in the “Well’s Scientific Series”; it was written by Well’s in Britain (as it was translated at that time), interpreted by Foulanier from Britain, and recorded by Xu Shou from Wuxi, China. Written in 1871 (the 10th year of the Tongzhi era in the Qing dynasty), this book is China’s first textbook on modern chemical theory and serves as the precursor to \"Inorganic Chemistry\". The modern facsimile edition is divided into four volumes with over 300 sections. The book is organized into chapters based on the various elements known at that time, providing brief introductions to the properties, methods of production, and uses of these elements and their compounds. It reflects the chemical achievements of that time. The difficulty is equivalent to that of high school first-year textbooks. In this book, Xu Shou, drawing on his exceptional wisdom, skillfully applied the principle of taking the first syllable of Western words to create new characters for naming elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium, nickel, and others. The naming method adopted by Xu Shou was later accepted by China’s chemical community and has been in use to this day. This book is the earliest source of the term “chemistry”. Note: Modern names for some of the nouns in the original text: Mole fraction – Molar mass Element – Element Impurity – Compound Strong acid – Acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid – Hydrochloric acid) ； Sulfuric acid – sulfuric acid) Hydrogen gas – hydrogen Nitrogen gas – nitrogen Oxygen gas – oxygen Chlorine gas – chlorine The force that causes substances to form compounds, similar to Coulomb’s force – such a force
I really didn’t know; now I understand, thank you.
In your hometown, there have been many such distinguished people; the local customs are really good!
Have you seen the sculpture? The reviews for it are extremely high – it’s known as the “Father of Chinese Chemistry”
Features of the sculptures: The sculpting techniques used by Wu Weishan in the sculpture series \"Xu Shou and Hua Hengfang\" are unique and distinct; the figures appear similar yet at the same time different, highlighting their charm and elegance while embodying a profound humanistic spirit. Wu Weishan has his own unique understanding of shaping character images. He believes that a person’s *inherent habits reflect their cultural upbringing and lifestyle* habits the most. He once said: To create characters from ancient times, one must have an \"ancient flavor\". But how can one achieve such an \"ancient flavor\"? That means it cannot be shaped based on the anatomical structure of modern humans’ bones and muscles; instead, it must be approached from the perspective of culture, as well as the identity and upbringing of the person being shaped. Professor Wu pays great attention to using details when creating characters, in order to reflect their profession, experiences, and so on, thereby showcasing the richness of their inner world. This group of commemorative sculptural works, consisting of two figures, features Hua Hengfang on the left and Xu Shou on the right; the side-by-side arrangement and the balanced postures of the figures contribute to giving the piece a solemn and unified appearance. The boat moorings near Hua Heng Fang’s seat cleverly highlight the thematic setting. The author put considerable care into the conception of the two figure sculptures – Xu Shou and Hua Hengfang lived in the same era, sharing common interests, ideals, and pursuits. Both have solemn expressions yet are filled with perseverance and confidence; they are somewhat symmetrical in their overall posture while also having slight differences, ultimately coming together in a dignified and harmonious atmosphere. “\"Xu Shou\" and \"Hua Hengfang\" both look ahead, symbolizing their specialization in their respective fields. The sculptor carefully renders the expressions on the characters’ faces, pays attention to their eyes, and delves into the depths of their inner worlds. Based on the relationship between the head and hands, as well as the facial expressions, Xu Shou’s wisdom and composure as an elder are evident ； Hua Hengfang appeared full of vigor and confidence; the shaping of the area between his brows and nose, through techniques such as pushing and pressing by the sculptor, gave his features a sense of tension. In terms of the modeling technique, these sculptures still employ Wu Weishan’s unique freehand style. The work does not focus on the superficial resemblance of the subject’s parts, but rather emphasizes its essence; it pays great attention to the rhythmic variations in terms of priority, complexity, and thickness among the different forms. In the handling of the folds in the fabric, the traces of techniques such as hitting with sticks, scraping, pushing, and pressing during the shaping process are retained. Although it may appear rough and careless, it is actually the result of careful consideration, creating a well-arranged pattern with aesthetic appeal.
Hua Hengfang is from our town; he has a former residence in the ancient town.
The Hua Hengfang Life and Achievements Exhibition Hall is located in Xindangli, Canghe North Street, within the Dangkou Ancient Town scenic area. It was the ancestral home of Hua Hengfang and was built during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty. Hua Hengfang (1833–1902), styled Wuanxiang, with the pseudonym Ruoting. From Jin Gui, Jiangsu (now part of Wuxi), he had lived in Dangkou his entire life. He was a pioneer of modern science in our country, as well as a mathematician, educator, and translator. In the 1990s, the second section behind the ancestral home was restored, and recently the first five sections were fully renovated, restoring the buildings named “Dunhui Hall,” “Liyu Xuan,” and “Xingsu Xuan.” It covers an area of 3,485 square meters, with a building area of 1,865 square meters. The exhibition hall will comprehensively display Hua Hengfang’s life story, academic achievements, and historical contributions. At the same time, the life stories of some family members are displayed.