艰难时世中的地理创造——张相文的地学生涯与学术贡献

Geographical creation in turbulent times:Zhang Xiangwen’s geoscience career and academic contributions

张相文是中国近代地理学先驱。在时局动荡的清末民初时期,他将家国情怀与学术追求相结合,在不断转换的身份之中谋求地学报国。其地理学家的主要身份与革命家、历史学家、教育家、实业家等多重身份交织在一起。他是“中国地学会”(中国地理学会的前身)的主要创建者和组织者,是中国第一本地理学学术期刊《地学杂志》的主要创办者。他明确提出“秦岭—淮河”南北地理分界线,创编较为完整的地理学教材,积极投身洪水治理、田野考察为主的地理实践,强有力地推动了中国近代地理学的迅速发展。论文通过广泛的资料比对重新归纳提炼了张相文的学术思想、主要活动及其现实意义。包容与专业精神、卓越的组织领导力、积极投身实践与治理、长期的坚守是他能够获得开创性成就的主要原因,也非常值得现今地理学者及团体发展借鉴。

Zhang Xiangwen was a pioneer geographer in modern China.In the turbulent period of the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China,he combined his academic pursuit with patriotism,and sought to serve the nation through geoscience discipline in the midst of his changing identities.His primary social identity as a geographer was intertwined with multiple identities such as revolutionist,historian,educator,and industrialist.Zhang Xiangwen’s academic contributions include leading the establishment of the China Geoscience Society,which was the predecessor of the Geographical Society of China;the founding of the Journal of Geosciences,which was the first Chinese academic journal of geography;the proposal of the Qinling-Huaihe north-south geographical boundary;the creation and compilation of geography textbooks;and the active engagements in flood control research and field research.This article attempted to tease out Zhang Xiangwen’s main activities,academic thoughts,and their practical implications by extensive data comparison.It is argued that open mindedness and professionalism,outstanding organizational leadership,and active participation in solving practical and societal issues led to Zhang Xiangwen’s pioneering work,which still has significance for the development of geographers and academic community nowadays.