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Zhang Yuanji (1867—1959), born in Haiyan county, is recognized as the most outstanding figure in China's publishing industry. [Photo/jiaxing.gov.cn]

Born in Haiyan county, Zhang Yuanji (1867—1959) is recognized as the most outstanding figure in China's publishing industry who devoted his life to the development of China's cultural publishing and collection of cultural heritage items.

In 1921, Zhang established Dongfang Library, which had a collection of 510,000 books, the largest collection in the country then. Zhang also published periodicals, including Journal of East, Novel Monthly, Journey of Education, all of which were well received in China.

Under his management, the Commercial Press, the first modern publishing organization in China, grew from a mere printing factory to a publishing giant and a cultural base that helped spread new knowledge in the country since the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).