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Jan Julius Lodewijk DuyvendakDutch sinologist, historian of political thought, religious scholar
Date of Birth: 28.06.1889
Country:  Netherlands |
Content:
- J.J.L. Duyvendak: A Renowned Sinologist and Scholar
- Time in China and Academic Career
- Professorship and Legacy
- Research Focus
- Other Works and Recognition
J.J.L. Duyvendak: A Renowned Sinologist and Scholar
Early Life and EducationJan Julius Lodewijk Duyvendak was a prominent Dutch sinologist, historian of political thought, and religious scholar known for his groundbreaking contributions to the field. In 1908, he enrolled in Leiden University under Jan de Groot. He pursued further studies at the Sorbonne under Édouard Chavannes and Antoine Cordier (1910-1911) and at the University of Berlin under Alfred Forke (1911-1912).
Time in China and Academic Career
From 1912 to 1918, Duyvendak resided in China, serving as a translator at the Dutch embassy in Beijing. In 1919, he returned to Leiden University as a lecturer in Sinology. His seminal work was the English translation of Shang Yang's "Book of Lord Shang," which he submitted as his doctoral dissertation in 1928.
Professorship and Legacy
In 1930, Duyvendak became a professor and head of the Sinology department at Leiden University. He also founded the Sinological Institute in Leiden that same year and served as its director. As co-editor of the sinological journal "T'oung Pao," he made significant contributions to the field. In 1950, he was honored as a professor emeritus at the University of Oxford. From 1953 to 1954, he served as rector of Leiden University.
Research Focus
Duyvendak was one of the first scholars to investigate Chinese Legalism, focusing on its philosophical underpinnings. He believed that Legalism emerged from the desire for a centralized state that would ensure a "strong government" and a "weak people." He viewed the theory as inherently amoral, likening it to theories of totalitarian states. Duyvendak also traced Legalism's roots to Daoist ideas of simplicity.
Other Works and Recognition
Beyond his work on Legalism, Duyvendak studied the philosophies of Xunzi and translated part of his treatise (1924). He also translated the "Dao De Jing" into Dutch (1942) and English (1954). His expertise extended to expeditions by Zheng He, an area of study in which he made valuable contributions.
