Chen Chi-lu

Chen Chi-lu (Chinese: 陳奇祿; pinyin: Chén Qílù) was a Taiwanese politician, historian and anthropologist.^[1] He was the first Minister of the Council for Cultural Affairs, taking office in 1981 and serving until 1988.

Early life

Chen was born on 27 April 1923 in Tainan Prefecture during the Japanese rule of Taiwan. Chen moved with his parents when he was still a child to Mainland China. He then attended the Tokyo First Senior High School in Tokyo. He then returned to Mainland China to study at St. John's University in Shanghai. He obtained his bachelor's degree in political science and economics in 1948. He obtained his master's degree at University of New Mexico at the United States in 1954. He obtained his doctoral degree in sociology from University of Tokyo in Japan in 1966.^[2]

Early career

Upon graduation from Shanghai, Chen returned to Taiwan and worked for Public Opinion Daily (Chinese: 台灣公論報) as an editor. After coming back from the United States, he started to teach anthropology at National Taiwan University (NTU). After coming back from Japan, he started to work as anthropology professor at NTU. Later he became an academician at the Academia Sinica.^[2]

Council for Cultural Affairs

During his ministerial office term at the Council for Cultural Affairs, Chen hosted various art exhibitions, proposed the establishment of folk and cultural parks and preserved old traditional architecture in Taiwan.^[2]

Death

Chen died on 6 October 2014 due to multiple organ failures.^[2]

References