严复任职天津水师学堂史实再证

A Re-examination of the Historical Facts regarding the Positions Yan Fu Held in the Northern Naval College in Tianjin

天津水师学堂从创设开始,在组织架构和教职设置上,从未有过类似教务长的"总教习"。根据《北洋纪事》等文献的记录,严复在1880—1889年间担任的职务是驾驶学堂的"洋文正教习",除教授学生英文外,还讲授各项西学基础课程。他在1889年下半年任水师学堂会办、1893年底任总办。严复在该学堂执教二十多年,贡献巨大。虽未能进入北洋决策的幕僚圈,但李鸿章对其任用和关照是不可否认的。研究历史人物生平事迹应依据切实而充分的史料,可以存疑,而不宜凭有限史料做过度猜测与推论。

From its first establishment,there was never a 'Head of Teaching' post similar to that of a dean in the structure or teaching arrangements of the Northern Naval College in Tianjin.According to some important records such as Bei Yang Ji Shi(Beiyang Records),the position Yan Fu held from 1880 to 1889 was Director of Foreign Languages in the Department of Navigation,where he taught the basics of the Western learning as well as English language.In the latter half of 1889,he became Vice President,and at the end of 1893,President of the college.With over twenty years of service,Yan made a great contribution to the college.Li Hongzhang undeniably trusted and depended on him,even though he was never one of the Beiyang advisory circle.Biographical studies of historical figures should be based on solid and sufficient historical material rather than assumptions and deductions.