Qiu Jin 1875?-1907

A native of Shanyin (present-day Shaoxing in Zhejiang province), Qiu Jin is the best known woman martyr and revolutionist of the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911). She left her family to study in Japan in 1904, where she became involved in revolutionary activities. Back in China, she also became active in promoting women's education. Her involvement in planning an armed uprising led to her arrest and execution in 1907. In her poetry and prose, Qiu Jin expresses her views on issues such as women rights and nationalism. Her work is collected in Qiu Jin ji [Works of Qiu Jin].

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