Yuan was born in 1936 in Jinan. He attended Peking University as an undergraduate student, graduating in 1957 from the school's Department of Chinese Language and Literature with a B.A. degree. The department hired him as an instructor immediately following his graduation, where he has remained ever since.[2]
In addition to his teaching and publications on Chinese literature, Yuan has served in various areas of Chinese politics. Yuan has been a member of the China Democratic League since 1987, and has served as its vice-chairman since 1997. He served on the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 1998 to 2003.[3]
Selected works
(in Mandarin Chinese) Yuan, Xingpei, ed.-in-chief (1963). Wei-Jin Nanbeichao wenxue shi cankao ziliao 魏晋南北朝文学史参考资料 [Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties Literary History Reference Materials]. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
(in Mandarin Chinese) — — — and Hou Zhongyi 侯中义 (1981). Zhongguo wenyan xiaoshuo shumu 中国文言小说书目 [Index of Classical Chinese Fiction]. Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe.
(in Mandarin Chinese) — — — (1987). Zhongguo shige yishu yanjiu 中国诗歌艺术研究 [Studies on the Artistics of Chinese Poetry]. Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe; revised edition (1996).
(in Mandarin Chinese) — — — (1997). Tao Yuanming yanjiu 陶渊明研究 [Studies on Tao Yuanming]. Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe.
(in Mandarin Chinese) — — —, ed.-in-chief (1999). Zhongguo wenxue shi 中国文学史 [History of Chinese Literature], 4 vols. Beijing: Gaodeng jiaoyu chubanshe.
(in Mandarin Chinese) — — —, et al., eds.-in chief (2006). Zhongguo wenming shi 中国文明史 [History of Chinese Civilization], 4 vols. Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe. English edition (2012), English text edited by David R. Knechtges, The History of Chinese Civilization, 4 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1107013094
^Note 1: In November 1996, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee accepted Fei Xiaotong’s request to resign as Chairperson of the CDL Central Committee.
^Note 2: In November 1996, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee elected Ding Shisun as Chairperson of the CDL Central Committee.
^Note 3: In July 1994, the Sixth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 7th Central Committee decided that Ding Shisun would serve as Executive Vice Chairperson.
^Note 4: In December 1995, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee elected Li Yining as Vice Chairperson.
^Note 5: In November 1996, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee elected Jiang Jingbo and Yuan Xingpei as Vice Chairpersons.
^Note 1: In December 2000, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee elected Wang Weicheng and Zhang Meiying as Vice Chairpersons.
^Note 2: In December 2001, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee elected Zhang Shengkun as Vice Chairperson.
^Note 3: In December 2000, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee accepted Zhang Baowen’s resignation from the concurrent post of Secretary-General.
^Note 4: In December 2000, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee appointed Yu Zeyou, Vice Chairperson, to concurrently serve as Secretary-General.
^Note 1: In December 2005, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee elected Ding Shisun as Honorary Chairperson of the Central Committee.
^Note 2: The Fourth Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee accepted Ding Shisun’s resignation from the posts of Chairperson, Standing Committee Member, and Member of the Central Committee.
^Note 3: In December 2005, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee elected Jiang Shusheng as Chairperson of the Central Committee.
^Note 4: In March 2003, the Third Chairpersons’ Meeting of the 9th Central Committee decided that Vice Chairperson Zhang Meiying would serve as Executive Vice Chairperson.
^Note 5: The Fourth Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee accepted Zhang Yumao’s resignation from the posts of Vice Chairperson, Standing Committee Member, and Member of the Central Committee.
^Note 6: In December 2003, the Second Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee accepted Yu Zeyou’s resignation from the posts of Vice Chairperson, Standing Committee Member, and Member of the Central Committee.
^Note 7: In December 2004, the Third Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee elected Suo Lisheng as Vice Chairperson.
^Note 8: In December 2003, the Second Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee elected Jiang Shusheng as Member, Standing Committee Member, and Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee.
^Note 9: On 24 June 2005, the Chairpersons’ Meeting decided to remove Lü Debin from his posts as Member and Standing Committee Member of the Central Committee and expel him from the League.
