JULIEN, Aignan-Stanislas (born Noël J.). Orléans 14.4.1797/21.9.1799 — Paris 13/14.2. 1873. According to Maspéro born 13.5.1797 (24 germinal an V). French Sinologist interested in Buddhism and Sanskrit. Professor in Paris. Born in a modest family and lost early (1802) his father, mechanic Stanislas J. He had difficulties with his studies (he was allowed to enter Collège d’Orléans only after the death of his stepfather in 1817). Passed collège quickly and entered local seminary, but quitted soon, uninterested in ecclesiastic career, and went to Paris. There he studied Greek, then various Oriental languages (including Arabic and Sanskrit), soon concentrating on Chinese. In 1822 took the name (Aignan-Stanislas) of his younger brother, who had died in the U.S.A. From 1821 teacher of Greek, from 1827 Sub-Librarian of Institute. Professor of Chinese at Collège de France (as —> Abel-Rémusat’s student and successor) in Paris from 1832 until his death (succeeded by Hervey de Saint-Denys). In 1862-71 also Professor of Vulgar Chinese at É.L.O.V. (Bazin’s successor, himself succeeded by Kleczkowski). A.I.B.L. 1833. Politically he was imperialist and 1863 made commander of the Légion d’honneur.
Julien was the leading European Sinologist of his time. Beside works on Chinese theatre and technology, he was one of the first Sinologists to study extensively Chinese Buddhism and ancient Sino-Indian contacts. He found and translated Xuanzang’s travels, deciphered the Chinese system of transliterating Sanskrit, etc. Among his students were Éd. Biot, Hervey de Saint-Denys, Léon de Rosny and A. Bazin. He was learned, but also a difficult character and very hard critic, who was involved in heated controversies with many colleagues (e.g. Pauthier and Reinaud).
Publications: Much on Chinese language, literature and civilization, also early works on Greek.
– Fundamental works of Chinese philosophy: Meng-tseu seu Mencium, inter Sinenses philosophos ingenio, doctrina, nominisque claritate Confucio proximum, edidit, latina interpretatione … et perpetuo commentario, e sinicis deprompto illustravit. Pars prior. 31+132+64 p. Lut. Paris. 1824; Taoteching du Laotseu. Le livre de la Voie et de la vertu. Ed. & trad. 45+294 p. P. 1842 and many new editions.
– Articles on Chinese Buddhist literature and on Sanskrit in China, e.g.:
– “Examen critique de quelques pages de chinois relatives à l’Inde, tradd. par M. Pauthier”, JA 3:11, 1841, 401-556 (on Pauthier, JA 3:8-9, 1839-40), and other articles of criticism against P. (who also published his rejoinders).
– “Concordance sinico-sanscrite d’un nombre considérable de titres d’ouvrages bouddhiques”, JA 4:14, 1849, 353-446.
– “Notices sur les pays et les peuples étrangers, tirées des géographies et des annales chinoises” (I.–IV.), JA 4:8, 1846, 228-252, 385-445 & 4:9, 1847, 50-66, 188-210 & (V. L’Inde), JA 4:10, 1847, 81-121; “Renseignement bibliographiques sur les relations de voyages dans l’Inde et des descriptions du Si-yu, qui ont été composés en chinois entre le Ve et le XVIIIe siècle de notre ère”, JA 4:10, 1847, 265-295.
– Translated the life and travels of Xuan Zang: Histoire de la vie de, et ses voyages dans l’Inde depuis l’an 629 jusqu’en 645, par Hoeï-Li et Yen-Thsong. 84+472 p. Voyages des pélérins bouddhiques 1. Paris 1853; Mémoires sur les Contrées occidentales (Si-yu-ki), trad. du sanscrit en chinois par Hiuen-tsang, et du chinois par S.J. 1-2. 78+493, 9+576 p. Voyages des pélérins bouddhiques 2-3. P. 1857-58.
– Translated: Les Avadânas, contes et apologues indiens inconnus jusqu’à ce jour, suivis de poésies et de nouvelles chinoises. 1-3. 260+251+272 p. P. 1859.
– Méthode pour déchiffrer et transcrire les noms sanscrits qui se rencontrent dans les livres chinois … inventée et démontrée. 6+235 p. P. 1861.
– “Documents historiques sur les Tou-kioue (Turcs) extraits du Preu-i-tien et traduits du chinois”, JA 6:3, 1864, 325-367, 490-549 & 6:4, 1864, 200-242, 391-430, 453-477.
Sources: H. Maspéro, “La chaire de Langues et Littératures chinoises et tartares-mandchoues”, Livre jubilaire composée à l’occasion di IVe centenaire du C. de F. 1932, 355-366 (359ff. on J.); A. Pino, D.O.L.F. 529f.; *E. Specht, “Note sur les manuscrits de Stanislas Julien”, CRAI 38, 1894, 219-228. *J. Théodoridès& Ming Wong, “Alexander von Humboldt et les études asiatiques (lettres inédites à Stanislas Julien)”, BEFEO 58, 1971, 255-270; *N. Wallon, MAIBL 31:1, 1884, 409-458 & *CRAI 19, 1875, 386-430; Wikipedia with two photos.
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