Lien Shih Sheng



Singapore Infopedia

Background

Lien Shih Sheng (连士升) (b. 24 May 1907, Fujian, China–d. 9 July 1973, Singapore) was an influential pioneer writer and news editor.1 His works span multiple genres such as travelogues, commentaries and biographies. Lien is best remembered for his Letters from the coast (海滨寄简), a series of letters first published in newspapers and later compiled into an eight-volume anthology.2

Early life and education

Born in Fu’an, Fujian province, China, to a family of learned men, Lien first received his education at the age of five from his father. When he was seven years old, he enrolled in the school where his father was teaching. Following his father’s passing a year later, he transferred to another primary school, from which he graduated in 1918. Due to financial constraints and the absence of secondary schools in his hometown then, Lien could not further his studies. Nonetheless, he continued his education in a private academy in his hometown. After his mother passed away when he was 15, Lien decided to further his studies in Xiapu county in Fujian province.3

After attending schools in Xiapu and Fuzhou, Lien gained admission to Yenching University in Beijing, where he majored in economics.4 He graduated in 1931, went on to be a graduate student in Yenching University, and continued his research in economics with various institutions.5

Career

During his time in Beijing, Lien wrote for several publications such as Shanghai News (申报) and was the editor for publications including The Chinese Historical Geography Semi-monthly Magazine (禹贡半月刊).6 He also founded publications with others, one of these being Knowledge for the Public (大众知识), which he co-founded with Gu Jiegang (顾颉刚), a renowned Chinese historian and his teacher.7 Lien was also commissioned to translate seminal works on the history of economics.8

Following the outbreak of the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Lien left Beijing and moved to Hong Kong. During his stay in Hong Kong from 1937 to 1942, he worked for different news agencies and was appointed professor by Lingnan University.9 As the war advanced, he moved to Vietnam with his family, where he became the principal of a Chinese school in Tra Vinh for two years. In Tra Vinh, Lien translated a few publications about the economic history of France, Germany and England. He also read the works of ancient Chinese literati in greater depth.10

Lien returned to China after the war ended in 1945, but could only afford to stay in Nanjing for six months due to its high inflation rate. He opted to return to Vietnam instead.11 In 1947, he migrated to Singapore with his family and was engaged by the local newspaper Chung Nam Daily as a lead writer.12 Almost a year later in 1948, he was employed by Nanyang Siang Pau and travelled to Europe as the paper’s correspondent.13 During this period, Lien wrote about his experiences in Europe and the short time he spent in China prior to Europe. This was eventually published in the series, A trip to my motherland (祖国纪行) and Tour of Europe (欧洲纪行). Lien worked for Nanyang Siang Pau for over 20 years, becoming its chief editor in 1969. He officially retired on 1 October 1971.14

Accomplishments

Lien wrote in different genres, including travelogues, miscellanies, and commentaries.15 He is best remembered for Letters from the coast (海滨寄简), a series of letters he had written under the penname, Ziyun (子云), and which was first published in 1958 by Nanyang Siang Pau.16 The letters cover a wide range of topics, including current affairs and personal development; it is believed that the ideas Lien expressed in these had some influence on local society then.17 Lien was also noted for his biographies of prominent Indian personalities such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi.18

Lien was appointed a member of the Public Service Commission from 1959 to 1966 and was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award in 1963.19 In addition, he was a committee member of the Nanyang University Founding Committee, president of the South Seas Society and vice-president of the China Society.20

Selected publications

1948:
《祖国纪行》 (A trip to my motherland)21
1950:
《塞纳河两岸》 (Banks of the Seine); 《地中海之滨》 (Mediterranean Coast);《大西洋一角》 (Corner of the Atlantic Ocean); 《印度洋舟中》 (On a boat in the Indian Ocean)22

1952:
《回首四十年》 (Looking back on 40 years)23

1953:
《西方英雄谱》 (Biography of the western heroes)24

1955:
《南行集》 (Travels in the South); 《给新青年》 (To the new youth)25

1957:
《闲人杂记》 (A reveller’s musing)26

1958:
《海滨寄简》 (Letters from the coast)27

1959:
《尼赫鲁传》 (Biography of Nehru)28

1960:
《春树集》 (Spring tree collection); 《海滨寄简·二集》 (Letters from the coast volume 2)29

1961:
《泰戈尔传》 (Biography of Tagore); 《名山胜水》 (Famous mountains and waters)30

1962:
《海滨寄简·三集》 (Letters from the coast volume 3)31

1963:
《海滨寄简·四集》 (Letters from the coast volume 4)32

1968:
《甘地传》 (Biography of Gandhi)33

1972:
《落霞集 (海滨寄简·五集)》 (Sunset collection (Letters from the coast volume 5))34

1974:
《孤鹜集 (海滨寄简·第六集)》 (Solitary duck collection (Letters from the coast volume 6)); 《秋水集 (海滨寄简·第七集)》 (Autumn water collection (Letters from the coast volume 7))35

2007:
《长天集 (海滨寄简·第八集)》 (Eternal sky collection (Letters from the coast volume 8))36

Death

After a three-month visit to China, Lien fell ill because of anemia and fatigue from the journey.37 He passed away two weeks later on 9 July 1973 in Singapore.38

Family

Wives: Zheng Kanci (郑侃慈);39 Lo Mui (罗梅)
Son: Lien Lian Sze (连亮思)
Daughters: Lien Chiew Sze (连侨思); Lien Jen Sze (连仁思); Lien Fain Sze (连藩思); Lien Wen Sze (连文思); Lien Siaou Sze (连萧思)40



Author

Goh Yu Mei



References
1. Lian Liangsi 连亮思, “Lian shi sheng shengping” 连士升生平 [Biography of Lien Shih Sheng] in Lian shi sheng jinian wenji连士升纪念文集 [Anthology in memory of Lien Shih Sheng], eds. Lian Wensi, Lian Liangsi 连文思 and 连亮思 (Singapore: Nanyang Institute, 1976), 142, 147 (Call no. Chinese RSING 070.92 LSS); Leong, Weng Kam, “Confucian Influence of Dad Still Felt Today,” Straits Times, 14 September 2007, 1 (From NewspaperSG); Xie Zhengda 谢征达, “Lian shi sheng yingxiang nanyang wentan” 连士升影响南洋文坛 [Lien Shih Sheng influenced the literary world in Nanyang], Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报, 6 November 2018. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website) 
2. Xie Zhengda, “Lian shi sheng yingxiang nanyang wentan”; Mahan 马汉, “Wen lin za yi: Lian shi sheng wen ruqi ren” 文林杂忆: 连士升文如其人 [Memories of the literary world: Lien Shih Sheng as portrayed in his writings], Nanyang Siang Pau 南洋商报, 14 March 2002 (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website); Lian Wensi, Lian Liangsi 连文思 and 连亮思, eds., Lian shi sheng jinian wenji连士升纪念文集 [Anthology in memory of Lien Shih Sheng] (Singapore: Nanyang Institute, 1976), 151–52. (Call no. Chinese RSING 070.92 LSS)
3. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi 连侨思, 连亮思 and 连文思,  eds., Huishou sishi nian回首四十年 [Looking back on 40 years] (Singapore: Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, 2009), 21–29. (Call no. Chinese RSING C810.092 LSS)
4. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 10.
5. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 10; “Lian shi shengren zhongnan ribao zhubi” 连士升任中南日报主笔 [Lien Shih Sheng assumes the position of lead writer of Chung Nan Daily], Nanyang Siang Pau 南洋商, 25 April 1947, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
6. Gao Fan 高凡, Lian shi sheng chuan wenxue shuping连士升传·文学述评 [Biography of Lien Shih Sheng: A review of his literary works] (Singapore: Reiko Media Pte Ltd, 2007), 206. (Call no. Chinese RSING C810.092 GF)
7. “Lian shi shengren zhongnan ribao zhubi.”
8. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 96.
9. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 96–97, 104; Gao Fan, Lian shi sheng chuan wenxue shuping, 207.
10. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 137, 152, 154–55.
11. Lian Qiaosi, Lian Liangsi and Lian Wensi, Huishou sishi nian, 10.
12. Gao Fan, Lian shi sheng chuan wenxue shuping, 210; “Lian shi shengren zhongnan ribao zhubi.”
13. “Qian zhongxing ribao zhubi lian shi sheng fan guo jiang zhuan cheng fu ou ren ben bao tepai yuan” 前中兴日报主笔连士升返国 将转程赴欧任本报特派员 [Former lead writer of Chung Shing Jit Pao returned to China, and will be heading to Europe as correspondent of Nanyang Siang Pau], Nanyang Siang Pau 南洋商, 11 January 1948, 11. (From NewspaperSG)
14. Gao Fan, Lian shi sheng chuan wenxue shuping, 210, 212; “Ben bao bian wei hui zhuxí lian shi sheng zhengshi tuixiu,” 本报编委会主席连士升正式退休 [Chairman of editorial board Lien Shih Sheng officially retired], Nanyang Siang Pau 南洋商, 16 October 1971, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
15. Xie Zhengda, “Lian shi sheng yingxiang nanyang wentan.”
16. Mahan, “Wen lin za yi”; Zheng Weisheng 郑伟圣, “Lian shi sheng dui dangjin xinjiapo ren de yiyi” 连士升对当今新加坡人的意义 [The meaning of Lien Shih Sheng to present-day Singaporean], LianheZaobao 联合早报, 13 August 2016. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
17. Mahan, “Wen lin za yi”; Xie Zhengda, “Lian shi sheng yingxiang nanyang wentan.”
18. Xie Zhengda 谢征达, “Xinhua wenxue xiao cidian 80. Zhidao yidian xihua wenxue” 新华文学小词典 80. 知道一点新华文学 [Brief dictionary on Singapore Chinese literature. Knowing more about Singapore Chinese literature], Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报, 6 November 2018. From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
19. “Goode Names New Jobs Men,” Straits Times, 15 July 1959, 9; “Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak P.S.C Names,” Straits Times, 6 January 1964, 9 (From NewspaperSG); Lian Liangsi, “Lian shi sheng shengping” 146; “Xinjiapo di yi ci shou xun qingdian zuori longzhong juxing zizhi bang yuanshou qinzi zhuchi shou xun yishi da faguan huang zongren xuandu shou xun zhe lue li liguangyao zongli zhuyi xiang shou xun zhe zhuhe” 新加坡第一次授勋庆典昨日隆重举行 自治邦元首亲自主持授勋仪式 大法官黄宗仁宣读受勋者略历 李光耀总理逐一向受勋者祝贺 [Singapore’s first award ceremony was held yesterday. The award was presented by Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore. Chief Justice Wee Chong Jin read the brief bios of the awardees. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew congratulated the awardee individually], Nanyang Siang Pau南洋商报, 17 March 1963, 5. (From NewspaperSG)
20. Lian Liangsi, “Lian shi sheng shengping” 146.
21. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Zuguo jixing祖国纪行 [A trip to my motherland] (Singapore: Nanyang Daily, 1948). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 951.08 LSS)
22. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Saina he liang'an塞纳河两岸 [Banks of the Seine] (Singapore: Nanyang Daily, 1950) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 940 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Dizhonghai zhi bin 地中海之滨 [Mediterranean coast] (Singapore: Nanyang Daily, 1950) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 940 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Taiseiyo ikkaku大西洋一角 [Corner of the Atlantic Ocean] (Singapore Daily, 1950) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 940 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Yinduyang zhou zhong印度洋舟中 [On a boat in the Indian Ocean] (Singapore Daily, 1950). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 940 LSS)
23. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Huishou sishi nian回首四十年 [Looking back on 40 years]. (Singapore Daily, 1950). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C818 LSS)
24. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Xifang yingxiong pu西方英雄谱 [Biography of the western heroes] (Singapore: Nanyang Siang Pau, 1953). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 329.00922 LSS)
25. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Nan xing ji南行集 [Travels in the south] (Singapore: Nanyang Siang Pau, 1953) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C814.3 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Gei xin qingnian给新青年 [To the new youths] (Singapore: Nanyang Siang Pau, 1955). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 305.235 LSS)
26. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Xianren zaji闲人杂记 [A reveller’s musings]. (Singapore: Nanyang Siang Pau, 1957). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C814.3 LSS-[HYT])
27. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Haibin ji jian 海滨寄简 [Letters from the coast]. (Singapore: Nanyang Siang Pau, 1958). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816 LSS)
28. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Ni he lu chuan尼赫鲁传 [Biography of Nehru]. (Singapore: Nanyang Printing Press, 1959). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 954.04 LSS)
29. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Chun shu ji春树集 [Spring tree collection] (Singapore: Youth Bookstore, 1960) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C814.3 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Haibin ji jian er ji海滨寄简·二集 [Letters from the coast volume 2]. (Singapore: Nanyang Printing Press, 1960). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816 LSS)
30. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Taige'er chuan泰戈尔传 [Biography of Tagore] (Singapore: Nanyang Printing Press, 1961) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS 891.4414 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Mingshan sheng shui名山胜水 [Famous mountains and waters] (Singapore: Youth Bookstore, 1961). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C814.3 LSS)
31. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Haibin ji jian·san ji海滨寄简·三集 [Letters from the coast volume 3] (Singapore: Nanyang Printing Press, 1962). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816 LSS)
32. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Haibin ji jian si ji海滨寄简·四集 [Letters from the coast volume 4] (Singapore: World Book Company, 1963). (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816 LSS)
33. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Gandi chuan 甘地传 [Biography of Gandhi] (Singapore: World Book Company, 1968). (Call no.: Chinese RCLOS 954.03 GAN.L)
34. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Luo xia ji (haibin ji jian wu ji)落霞集 (海滨寄简·五集) [Sunset collection (letters from the coast volume 5)] (Singapore: World Book Company, 1972). (Call no. Chinese RSING C816.3 LSS)
35. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Gu wu ji (haibin ji jian liu ji) 孤鹜集 (海滨寄简·六集) [Solitary duck collection (letters from the coast volume 6)] (Singapore: World Book Company, 1974) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816.3 LSS); Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Qiushui ji (haibin ji jian qi ji) 秋水集 (海滨寄简·七集) [Sunset collection (letters from the coast volume 5)] (Singapore: World Book Company, 1974) (Call no. Chinese RCLOS C816.3 LSS)
36. Lien Shih Sheng 连士升, Chang tian ji (haibin ji jian di ba ji长天集 (海滨寄简·第八集) 》 [Eternal sky collection (letters from the coast volume 8)] (Singapore: Reiko Media, 2007). (Call no. Chinese RSING C816.3 LSS)
37. “Qian ben bao zong bianji lian shi sheng shishi yiti mingri anzang” 前本报总编辑连士升逝世 遗体明日安葬 [Former chief editor of Nanyang Siang Pau, Lien Shih Sheng, passed on. The funeral will be held the next day], Nanyang Siang Pau 南洋商, 10 July 1973, 3. (From NewsapaperSG)
38. Lian Liangsi, “Lian shi sheng shengping” 147.
39. Gao Fan, Lian shi sheng chuan wenxue shuping, 206.
40. Leong, Weng Kam, “Confucian Influence of Dad Still Felt Today.



The information in this article is valid as at April 2020 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic


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