Derk Bodde

Derk Bodde (9 March 1909 – 3 November 2003) was a prominent 20th century American Sinologist and historian of China. He authored pioneering work in the history of the Chinese legal system.

Bodde was an emeritus Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and former president of the American Oriental Society (1968–69).

Bodde received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1930. He spent six years (1931-1937) studying in China on a fellowship. He earned a doctorate in Chinese Studies from the University of Leiden in 1938. When the Fulbright scholarship program was initiated in 1948, Bodde was the first American recipient of a one-year fellowship, which he spent studying in Beijing.

Honors

• Association for Asian Studies (AAS), 1985 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies

See also

• William P. Alford: current Harvard University scholar of Chinese law
• Jerome A. Cohen: current New York University scholar (emeritus) of Chinese law
• List of Sinologists

References

• Rickett, W. Allyn. "In memoriam: Derk Bodde (1909-2003)", Journal of the American Oriental Society. October 2003.
• University of Chicago, Early China: Obituary - Derk Bodde