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Secondary sourceBook1897

The Life, Labours and Doctrines of Confucius

Edward Harper Parker · 1897

An 1897 biography examining the life, work and teachings of Confucius.

A biography studying the life and teachings of Confucius, written centuries after his death.

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About this source

What it is

This is a book from 1897 written by Edward Harper Parker, offering a biography and study of Confucius's life, work and philosophy.

Why it matters

Written over two thousand years after Confucius lived, this book is a secondary account that reflects how later scholars tried to understand him and the society of ancient China. It opens by describing the geography and social conditions of the region where Confucius lived, helping readers picture his world.

Look closer

  • Why might the author begin with a description of the geography of ancient China?
  • What kinds of sources might a biographer in 1897 have used to write about someone who lived so long before?
  • How might our distance in time from Confucius affect what we can know for certain about him?

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