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Weng Tung-ho

1830 – 1904

Chinese Confucian scholar and imperial tutor during the Qing dynasty

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About Weng Tung-ho

Lived 1830 – 1904 (aged 73–74). Weng Tung-ho was a Chinese politician, painter, calligrapher and scholar.

Weng Tonghe (; 1830–1904), courtesy name Shuping , was a Chinese Confucian scholar and imperial tutor who lived in the Qing dynasty. In 1856, he obtained the position of zhuangyuan (or top scholar) in the imperial examination and was subsequently admitted to the prestigious Hanlin Academy.

Weng's father, Weng Xincun, was an official who had been persecuted by an influential faction in the Qing imperial court led by Sushun. Weng Xincun was a tutor of the Daoguang Emperor's sons, Yihui and Yihe. However, in 1861, a coup took place, bringing about the deposition of Sushun and his faction, and the new government, led by Prince Gong, Empress Dowager Ci'an and Empress Dowager Cixi, placed the senior Weng to high office.

In 1865, Weng was appointed as a tutor to the Tongzhi Emperor, joining another tutor by the name of Wo Ren, as well as a lecturer to the two empress dowagers. The Tongzhi Emperor formally took over the reins of power from his regents in 1873 but died two years later.

Weng had apparently been exonerated from the disastrous failure of the education of the Tongzhi Emperor, as he was appointed as a tutor to the Tongzhi Emperor's successor, the Guangxu Emperor. As a tutor to the Guangxu Emperor, Weng emphasized the boy-emperor's filial duties to Empress Dowager Cixi, making her an object of fear and reverence for him.

Along with his role as tutor, Weng accrued increased political power, occupying several important posts in the Qing administration, including Vice President and later President of the Board of Revenue, Director of the Censorate and President of the Board of Punishments. He also served on the Grand Council 1882–84 and participated in decisions made in the First Sino-Japanese War.

Weng was also known for being a patron of Kang Youwei, a man whom he began to dissociate with by the spring of 1898, and in light of this connection, it has been argued that Empress Dowager Cixi removed him from office. However, apparently it was the Guangxu Emperor himself who removed Weng from office in June 1898 after they got into a quarrel.

Weng is the great-great-grandfather of Wango Weng (翁萬戈; 1918–2020), a well-known art historian, art collector, calligrapher, film maker and poet, who inherited many of the artistic masterpieces collected by Weng Tonghe, and who has donated many of them to major museums.

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Important facts

Born
1830, Changshu
Birth century
Died
1904
Nationality
Positions held
Minister of Justice, Minister of Works of the Qing dynasty, Hubu Shangshu (Qing dynasty), Left Censor-in-Chief
Awards
Imperial examination
Also known as
Pingzhaijushi, Weng Wen-kung kung, Yunzhai Weng, Yunzhai, Songchan, Renfu
moreShengyuejie, Tonghe Weng, Wengong, Pingsheng Weng, Weng T'ung-ho, Pingsheng, Shuping, Songchanlaoren, Pinglu Weng, Sung-chʻan Weng, Jingmeijushi, Changping Weng, Weng Wen'gong gong, T'ung-ho Weng, Pingan Weng, Junzhai, Pinganjushi, Yupu, Ping'an Weng, Wen-kung kung Weng, Changping, Shengjie Weng, P'ing-an Weng, Wen’gong gong Weng, Tong he Weng, Pingzhai Weng, Pingan, Sung-ch‘an Weng, Shengfu Weng, Changshu Weng, Junzhai W

People in Weng Tung-ho's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Weng Tung-ho's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Weng Tung-ho?

Chinese Confucian scholar and imperial tutor during the Qing dynasty (1830-1904)

When was Weng Tung-ho born?

Weng Tung-ho was born in 1830 in Changshu.

When did Weng Tung-ho die?

Weng Tung-ho died in 1904.

What was Weng Tung-ho's occupation?

Weng Tung-ho was a politician, painter, calligrapher and scholar.

What nationality was Weng Tung-ho?

Weng Tung-ho was Chinese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Weng Tung-ho

· Wikidata: Q985522

· DBpedia: Weng Tonghe

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Weng Tung-ho. https://biography.guide/weng-tung-ho/

MLA: "Weng Tung-ho." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/weng-tung-ho/.

Chicago: "Weng Tung-ho." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/weng-tung-ho/.

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