Dr. Mark Lewis

Biography

Mark Edward Lewis is the Kwoh-Ting Li Professor of Chinese Culture, Emeritus, in the History Department at Stanford University. His research focuses on various aspects of Chinese civilization during the late pre-imperial and early imperial periods, particularly the social and political forms of these eras. His influential works include 'Sanctioned Violence in Early China,' which examines the emergence of Chinese empires and how evolving practices of violence reflect the changing nature of political authority. Lewis also authored 'Writing Authority in Early China,' analyzing how different forms of writing facilitated governance and shaped imperial authority. Another significant work, 'Construction of Space in Early China,' investigates the reorganization of spatial concepts as the Chinese empire developed. His contributions span a wide range of topics regarding honor and shame in the sociopolitical evolution of early China, highlighting how new elite groups redefined these concepts. Lewis has penned several texts covering the entirety of imperial China's history, offering insights into key societal aspects during these significant historical periods. With a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, he continues to engage with the academic community as Emeritus Faculty.

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