Life & Journey
"A lifetime of wandering through the mountains..."
CHRONOLOGY
"To trace the path of a seed is to know the history of the earth."
Origins
Born in Jinan, Shandong. Raised in a merchant family, moved to Peiping (Beijing) in 1937, attending Beiping No. 4 High School.
The Foundation
Enrolled at National Peiping Normal University. Came under the influence of professor Hu Xiansu, training in classical taxonomic methods and historical continuity.
The Spark
Field internship at Yuquan Mountain led by Prof Lin Rong. The transition from abstract text to physical reality defined his methodology.
The Archive Begins
Assigned to the Institute of Plant Taxonomy (CAS) because of professor Hu Xiansu. Began a 72-year career documenting the national "archives".
Assistant Fellow
Promoted to Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of Botany, CAS.
The Iconographia
Led a team of ten researchers to compile the "Iconographia Cormophytorum Sinicorum", documenting 15,000 species and clearing the national bottom line.
Associate Fellow
Promoted to Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Botany, CAS.
Research Fellow
Promoted to Research Fellow and became Editor-in-Chief of Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica (until 1988).
Academician
Elected as an Academician of CAS. Recognized for establishing the taxonomic framework of East Asian flora.
Late Discovery
At age 90, identified and named the new species Metapilea in the Urticaceae family.
Unassuming Resilience
Despite near-blindness and cancer, he continued working with a magnifying glass, publishing 1M+ words in his final decade.
A Legend Rests
Passed away at 96. Left a legacy of 28 new genera and 1,370 new species.
A Debt of Gratitude
It was under the guidance of Professor Hu Xiansu that the path became clear. More than just a teacher, Hu was the beacon that illuminated the way forward, instilling a deep respect for taxonomy and the "archives" of nature. His influence shaped not just a career, but a lifetime of discovery.
The Looking Glass
Battling four types of cancer and blindness in his right eye, he kept his condition secret. With his left eye blurring, he used a simple handheld magnifying glass to study the fine structures of Delphinium. In the dark of his final years, he wrote over a million words.
The Unyielding Gaze
"Even if I can only see a small part at a time..."
In his later years, with failing eyesight, Wang Wencai used a simple magnifying glass to continue his work. He published over a million words by piecing together the world one small circle at a time.