Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women, Volume II

This comprehensive reference work brings to light over 400 remarkable Chinese women from the Tang through Ming dynasties, offering unprecedented access to figures who shaped nearly a millennium of China's cultural and political landscape. The dictionary stands out for its extensive coverage of female officials, artists, and literary figures, with many entries representing groundbreaking English-language scholarship on these historical subjects. Readers will discover women who wielded significant authority alongside poets and creators whose voices have been largely absent from Western historical narratives until now.

What makes this volume particularly valuable is its role in completing a landmark four-volume project that fundamentally expands our understanding of women's contributions to Chinese civilization. The biographical entries provide substantial, well-researched information that serves both academic researchers and general readers interested in women's history and Asian studies. By documenting these diverse female experiences across multiple dynasties, the collection creates an essential foundation for anyone seeking to understand the full scope of women's roles in pre-modern Chinese society. This work not only fills critical gaps in historical records but also establishes a lasting resource for future scholarship on Chinese women's achievements.