Sima Qian, a historian of the Western Han Dynasty, wrote China's first general history (a historical book running through ancient and modern times), Historical Records, which created a precedent for biographical history books. The content of historical records is unprecedented. It can be said that complete historical works have appeared in China since Historical Records, so Sima Qian was the first great historian in China.

Sima Qian (about BC 145-? ) was born in xia yang (now south of Hancheng, Shaanxi). His ancestors were historians in the Zhou Dynasty, and his father Sima Tan was an official in the Western Han Dynasty, managing astronomy, calendars and historical documents. Sima Qian used to farm and graze in his hometown when he was a child. At the age of ten, he went to Chang 'an, the capital, to study China's ancient literature. He was instructed by famous scholars Dong Zhongshu and Kong Anguo at that time. Because of his diligence and eagerness to learn, he soon became a young and knowledgeable figure. At the age of twenty, he began to travel around. He used to be the "doctor" of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and served as an envoy to war. He also traveled with Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and worshiped Zen (a grand ceremony to worship heaven and earth). He traveled all over today's Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and other provinces, and was able to enjoy the magnificent rivers and mountains of the motherland, extensively inspect places of interest, collect legends and understand local customs, laying a solid foundation for writing historical records.

The first female historian

There was a woman in the Eastern Han Dynasty who made an important contribution to history. When she died, the empress dowager of the dynasty personally wore plain clothes to mourn and gave her a state funeral. This woman is Ban Zhao, the first female historian in China.

Ban Zhao (49- about 120), also known as Ji, was born in Fufeng Anling (now northeast of Xianyang, Shaanxi Province), with a well-known family, a collection of books inside and wealth outside. His father Ban Biao is very knowledgeable; Ban Gu, the eldest brother, is a famous historian and writer. Ban Chao, the second brother, was a great soldier who made contributions to the Western Regions. Influenced by his family, father and brothers, plus his clever efforts, Ban Zhao became a learned scholar. Her outstanding contribution to the cultural cause of the motherland is to sort out and continue to write Han Shu, an important historical masterpiece.

Ban Zhao is the first female scholar to write in China. In the feudal society where women are discriminated against and oppressed, Ban Zhao, who is outstanding in learning, is really like a wonderful flower, bursting with cold. She is the representative of ancient women's wisdom and the pride of ancient women!