Distinguished Lectures in Humanities: An Exile Misremembered—Lin Zexu and Qing China's Response to the West

No individual looms larger in historical accounts of 19th century China than Imperial Commissioner LIN Zexu. Yet, his legacy remains mixed. Most historical accounts characterize LIN’s attempt to end the illicit opium trade as ill-conceived, conservative, and ultimately resulting in his ignominious exile to a remote corner of the empire. In this talk, Prof. ATWILL focuses on LIN’s post-Opium War career to upend traditional accounts of the Opium War and to allow us to see with new eyes how Qing China faced global challenges in a rapidly changing world.

Event date: 29/9/2025
Speaker: Prof. David G. ATWILL
Hosted by: Faculty of Humanities