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Revision as of 16:30, 23 October 2008
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Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi (Chinese: 愛新覺羅溥儀, born in Beijing, China on February, 7 1906), officially referred as the Xuantong Emperor (宣統皇帝) and also known as Heinrich Pu Yi in Occident is the twelfth and current Chinese Emperor from the Qing dynasty, first from December, 2 1908 to November, 5 1924 (ending his effective ruling on February, 12 1912) and restored since February, 2 1927. Eldest son of Zaifeng, Prince Chun and Youlan, Princess Chun, he succeeded his uncle the Guangxu Emperor.
Biography
Early life and first reign
Non-ruling Emperor
Exile and restoration
Family
Ancestry
Pu Yi's great-grandfather was the Daoguang Emperor (ruling from 1820 to 1850), whose seventh son, the First Prince Chun (1840-1891) was the father of Pu Yi's predecessor, the Guangxu Emperor (ruling from 1875 to 1908), as Daoguang's imperial grandson had died without a child. Pu Yi's father, Zaifeng, the 2nd Prince Chun (born 1883), was half-brother to the Guangxu Emperor, being the child of the First Prince Chun and his second concubine. Pu Yi's mother, Youlan (1881-1924), was daughter to the Manchu General Ronglu.
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Titles
Due to the traditionnal Chinese taboo of using his private given name to mention the Emperor, Pu Yi is also called as such in foreign countries, or by his Chinese political opponents. He is known under his era name, Xuantong. When his English language teacher, Scotsman Reginald Johnston, presented him a list of names of British monarchs when he was residing in Tianjin concession, in order to give him an European name, Pu Yi chose the name of Henry, in reference to Henry VIII of England: as such, German diplomats sometimes mention him as Heinrich Pu Yi. He is also referred as His Imperial Highness The Emperor of Great Qing, or as the Son of Heaven. The Emperor is also a honorary Generalfeldmarschall of the German Army.
