Zhou Shutao (; July 18, 1891, Yangzhou – February 14, 1984, Tianjin) was a collector of rare books, an industrialist, and the deputy mayor of Tianjin.
His names
Zhou was born Zhou Mingyang (), then changed to Zhou Mingxian (). Shutao was his courtesy name (), that he primarily used. He also used an alternate name taken at older art name (): Shuweng ().
Early life
Zhou was home schooled since 5 years-old in Yangzhou, and collected books from 1912 until 1984.Zhou, Weizeng (1994). Biography of Zhou Shutao. Beijing: Beijing Normal University Press.
Private life
He was the major figure and shareholder in his uncle Zhou Xuexi's Business empire. A successful industrialist in his own right, he managed Huzxin Textile Co. () and Qixin Cement Co. (Wade–Giles: Chee Hsin; Chinese: 启新洋灰).Feuerwerker, Albert (1967). Industrial Enterprise in Twentieth-Century China. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. LCCN 67-15640. p. 304
Public life
Due to his favorable view of the communist party and cooperation, he was appointed the first deputy mayor of Tianjin municipality in 1950. Since then, he was elected or appointed to numerous organizations that included: Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC Committee ()China Vitae ; retrieved 2015.09.24 Standing Committee of the National People's Congress () Vice-Chairman of the National Federation of Industry () Director of CITIC Group Tianjin ()
Book collection
He began to collect books in 1912 and to donate in 1949. He accumulated more than 37,000 books, of which 2,672 were rare. He collected Chinese and foreign, dating back to Song dynasty. He donated the entire rare book collection () to National Library of China in 1952. His other books, Chinese and foreign, thread - bound () to Tianjin Library and Nankai University.Postscript of Index of Zhou Shutao's Rare Books () Tianjin: Guji Chubanshe (1985); #17330.1
Publications 1984, Selected donated seals of Zhou Shutao, Zhou Shutao xian sheng juan xian xi yin xuan (; Tianjin yi shu bo wu guan) 1985, Index of his rare book Zi zhuang yan kan shanben shumu () Tianjin: Guji Chubanshe; #17330.1
Family
Zhou had three wives and ten children. He's the younger brother of M. D. Chow.
References
Further reading
Collection of essays celebrating his 60th birthday