The China Biographical Database is an online relational database with biographical information about approximately 48,000 individuals as of May 2009, primarily from the seventh through fourteenth centuries. The data is meant to be useful for statistical and spatial analysis as well as serving as a kind of biographical reference.

The long term goal of CBDB is systematically to include all significant biographical material from China’s history and to make the contents available free of charge, without restriction, for academic use. CBDB is currently adding more Song period biographies.

CBDB originates with the work of Robert M. Hartwell (1932 – 1996). Professor Hartwell bequeathed his estate, including the first version of this database, to the Harvard-Yenching Institute.

The development of CBDB is now a joint project of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, the Institute of History and Philology of Academia Sinica, and the Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History at Peking University.

The CBDB Steering Committee is responsible for oversight: 
Peter K. Bol, Harvard University (chair)
Deng Xiaonan, Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History, Peking University
Michael A. Fuller, University of California at Irvine
Robert P. Hymes, Columbia University
Lau Nap-yin, Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
Liu Cheng-yun, Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica
Zhang Xiqing, Center for Research on Ancient Chinese History, Peking University

The data inputting system is currently online. We expect the reporting system, to go live in the fall of 2008. Both systems have been developed by Tudor Technical Service for the Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica.

The CBDB reporting system allows for queries of the entire database using multiple variables. Eventually these pages will be bilingual. Note: the reporting system is still being refined. Changes are made on a regular basis. If something does not work as expected please contact us. Click here to enter the Querying and Reporting System.

You may enter the online inputting system for CBDB by logging in as GUEST (no password required) at the CBDB inputting site. Use Internet Explorer for stability. This will allow you to see how data is entered, view the codes, and review information on any person in the database. --you will not be able to save changes or delete data -- use the buttons and links on the page. If you use the enter key or the forward and back buttons on your browser you may be logged off, in which case simply log on again.