I am a historian of China since 1500 and the global history of empire. Most of my work follows the lives of ideas inside the Qing state (1644–1912): where ideas about governing came from, how they moved between the throne, the province, and the county, and what happened when they were put into practice. I use research materials in five languages and quantitative methods.
I hold a Ph.D. in History from Princeton University, an M.A. in Chinese History from Tsinghua University, and an A.B. in East Asian Studies from Princeton. Before graduate school I spent a year at Zhejiang University as a Fulbright Scholar, and I have since spent time as a visitor at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo and Tsinghua University. My year of dissertation research in China was funded by the Huo Family Foundation, which published a conversation with me about how I came to the field. I have also worked as a research assistant to Linda Colley on The Gun, the Ship, and the Pen, and to Janet Chen on the fourth edition of The Search for Modern China.
I welcome inquiries from students, especially those interested in Qing politics. I also welcome inquiries from prospective research assistants, especially those with strong Classical Chinese and/or quantitative skills. Inquiries about collaboration, invited talks, and visiting research can go to the same address.
Contact
- ca@charlesargon.com
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