Wenjiang Ding 
Biography of Wenjiang Ding
Ding Wenjiang
Wenjiang Ding graduated BSc from the University of Glasgow in 1911. He was a pioneering Chinese scientist, geologist and scholar.
Ding was born in Taixing, Jiangsu Province in 1888. After a period of study in Japan (1902), he first matriculated at the University of Glasgow in 1908, aged 20. His matriculation slip for his first year, and in all subsequent University records, he records his name with the spelling 'Ven Kiang Ting'. It also records his father's name as Tseng Chi, a Landowner. During his time at the University, within the faculty of Science, Ding took classes in Chemistry, Natural Philosophy (Physics), Zoology, Mathematics, Geology, Geography, German, and Astronomy. He was one of only two overseas students (out of 36 students) to attend the University's very first Geography class of 1909-10.
While at the University, Ding excelled as a student, receiving numerous awards and prizes. In 1908 he gained a First Class certificate in Practical Zoology and a Second Class certificate for Systematic Zoology. In 1909 he was listed as the Medal winner and awarded a First Class certificate for Advanced Zoology under Professor John Graham Kerr. In 1909 he also received a First Class certificate for Geology Part 1, and was again listed as the Medal winner and also Cowie Prize winner for Geology Part II in 1910 under Professor John Walter Gregory. He received his final First Class Certificate Astronomy under Professor Ludwig Becker in 1910.
His distinguished career saw him become the Founder and first Director of the Geological Survey of China (between 1916 and 1921); the first Professor of Geology in Peking (Beijing) University (1931-1934); Secretary-General of the Academia Sinica (1934-36); and Director of the Institute of Geological Investigations of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture.
Through Ding's academic and scientific work, including co-editing the "New Geographic Map of the Republic of China" and the "Provincial Maps of China", he made a significant contribution to the promotion of science in China.
Sources
Other Online Resources
- G. W. Terrell, “Dr. V. K. Ting,” Bulletin of the Geological Society of China 20 (1940): 369;
- Geography Department, University of Glasgow
Archival Materials
- R1/7/1 Graduation Albums B.Sc. 1873-1942, p.58
- R3/1/1 Roll of Graduates, Vol.2
- R4/5/4 Schedules of Graduates in Science (BSc) 1911-1913
- R5/1/3 Preliminary Examination Results, Arts and Science, September 1904- September
- R7/3/5 Index to Class Prize Lists 1909-1913
- R8/5/29/8 Glasgow University Matriculation Slips 1908-1909
- R8/5/30/8 Glasgow University Matriculation Slips 1909-1910
- R8/5/31/8 Glasgow University Matriculation Slips 1910-1911
- SEN10/51 University Calendar 1909-10, p.548
- SEN10/52 University Calendar 1910-11, p.547, 550
- SEN10/53 University Calendar 1911-12, p.581, 582
- UP5/1/5 Astronomy Class Photograph 1910-1911
Summary
Wenjiang Ding
Born 20 March 1888, Taixing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Died 5 January 1936.
GU Degree: BSc, 1911; Science and Engineering,
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate
Occupation categories: geologists
English snippet: A pioneering Chinese scientist, geologist and scholarRecord last updated: 7th Apr 2017
University Connections
University Roles
- Alumnus
- Graduate [View Wenjiang Ding's record in the list of graduates]
