Tan Sitong

Tan Sitong (1865–1898) was a prominent Chinese politician, thinker, and reformist during the tumultuous late Qing dynasty. Born in Beijing, he hailed from Liuyang, Hunan Province. Despite his father's high position as governor, Tan pursued intellectual and reformist ideals, clashing with conventional examination formats. His early life was marked by personal tragedy, including the loss of family members and a brief marriage that resulted in the death of his son. Facing mounting crises in China due to foreign interventions and military defeats, Tan became a fervent advocate for reform. Following the humiliating defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, he penned the poignant poem "My Feelings," reflecting his deep sorrow for China's plight. His philosophical work, "Ren Xue" (Theory of Benevolence), criticized absolute monarchy's oppression of human nature. In 1898, he was introduced to Emperor Guangxu and appointed to the Grand Council, playing a key role in the Hundred Days' Reform. However, the reform movement was crushed by Empress Dowager Cixi in a coup. Tan, refusing to flee, was arrested and executed by beheading on September 28, 1898, alongside five other reformists, becoming known as one of the "six gentlemen of the Hundred Days' Reform." His final words expressed a desire for reform through sacrifice, and his execution profoundly impacted the intellectual class, contributing to the eventual overthrow of the Qing dynasty.