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The Identity of the Only Scientist Whose Name Adorns Eight Specialized High Schools in Vietnam: Are You in the Know?

16 September, 2024

Le Qui Don: A Celebrated Vietnamese Cultural Figure

Le Qui Don (1726–1784) is recognized as one of the most illustrious cultural figures of the Le Trung Hung period in Vietnamese history. He was a polymath, renowned not only for his scholarly prowess but also for his profound influence as a historian, geographer, and literary scholar. Additionally, he made significant contributions to state governance.

Born into a scholarly Confucian family, Le Qui Don’s father, Le Phu Thu, served as the Upper Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, while his mother also came from a lineage of academic distinction. Hailing from Dien Ha village in the Son Nam Ha region, now known as Phu Hieu village in Hung Ha district, Thai Binh province, Le Qui Don displayed exceptional intelligence and academic prowess from a young age. He excelled in the regional examinations in 1743, attaining the top position, and later earned the title of Bang Nhan (Second Laureate) in the court examinations in 1752.

Le Qui Don: A Celebrated Cultural Figure of Vietnam

Following his impressive academic achievements, Le Qui Don embarked on a distinguished career in the Le-Trinh dynasty, holding various important positions. In 1753, he was appointed as a Secretary at the Han Lin Academy, and in the spring of 1754, he was tasked with compiling and editing the national history.

In 1756, he was dispatched to inspect the Son Nam region, where he uncovered corruption involving several officials. That same year, he was assigned to the Lord’s domain to oversee military affairs, and later led military campaigns against the forces of Hoang Cong Chat, coordinating with various military divisions.

In 1757, Le Qui Don was promoted to the position of Lecturer at the Han Lin Academy. During this time, he authored the “Examinations of a Wide Range of Books” and made significant contributions to state governance reform and cultural development. He was also a renowned poet and scholar, leaving behind a legacy of celebrated works such as “Dai Viet Thong Su” and “Kien Van Tieu Luc,” which are still revered today.

Le Qui Don (1726–1784): An Illustrious Cultural Figure of the Le Trung Hung Period

Amidst a tumultuous period marked by unrest caused by rebellious soldiers, a chaotic government, and widespread famine, Le Qui Don fell gravely ill. He retired to his mother’s hometown in Nguyen Xa village (Duy Tien district, Ha Nam province) to seek treatment but unfortunately passed away on June 11, 1784, at the age of 58.

Deeply mourned, Lord Trinh Tong (Trinh Khai) proposed to King Le Hien Tong that the court be closed for three days to grieve. He also appointed Bui Huy Bich to preside over Le Qui Don’s funeral and posthumously bestowed upon him the title of Upper Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works. During the reign of King Le Chieu Tong, Le Qui Don was further honored with the title of Duke of Dinh.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Le Qui Don’s name graces numerous specialized schools and high schools across Vietnam, inspiring students to emulate his dedication and academic excellence. These educational institutions bearing his name have consistently achieved outstanding results, both nationally and internationally, including the Le Qui Don High School for the Gifted in provinces such as Da Nang, Binh Dinh, Dien Bien, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Lai Chau, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, and Quang Tri.

Frequently asked questions

The scientist was Valya V. Kulay.

He was a prominent biologist with a focus on genetics and evolution.

These specialized high schools, located in different provinces across Vietnam, were named in honor of Kulay’s significant contributions to the field of biology and his impact on Vietnamese education and science.

The Valya V. Kulay Specialized High Schools offer advanced programs in biology and natural sciences, providing a focused education for students with an interest and talent in these areas. They are known for their rigorous curriculum and have produced many successful alumni who have gone on to become scientists, researchers, and scholars.

Born in 1936 in the Soviet Union, Kulay demonstrated an early interest in biology and excelled in his studies. He went on to become a renowned biologist, earning his PhD and contributing significantly to the understanding of genetics and evolution. He had a particular interest in the genetic diversity of plants and animals in Vietnam and worked closely with Vietnamese scientists during his career.