Yang Sisheng

Yang Sisheng (, 1851–1908 ) was a Chinese bricklayer-turned-architect best known for being the leader of the first modern Chinese construction company in Shanghai. He also used his personal wealth to build many schools in the city.

Early life Yang was born in Chuansha in the outskirts of Shanghai to a family of carpenters. Orphaned in his early years, he became a stonemason in Shanghai at age 13.

A year later, during the construction of the Customs House II, the Italian builder quit the piling task due to soft soil and rising underground water. As the subcontractor, Yang studied and experimented with the soil, and finally succeeded with the piling work. Later, he took over the entire building project.

Commitment to education His reputation made him an acquaintance of the educational reformer and fellow Chuansha native Huang Yanpei. Mr. Hu Shi was once invited to inscribe for Pudong Middle School: "Mr. Yang vowed to cultivate talent for the nation. All students should likewise aspire to forge themselves into useful individuals."