Chen Jinmin, also known as Chen Hongxun, from Chengguan, Tiantai, Zhejiang Province, was a famous mathematician and educator at his time. He graduated from Tiantai High School in 1915 and entered Department of Mathematics in Beijing Normal College (presently Beijing Normal University) in 1916. In 1919, when taking part in the May 4 Patriotic Movement, he was arrested and bailed out of jail by the President, so he renamed as Jinmin with the determination of “Being loyal to the People”.
In 1921, Chen went to Lyon, France for further study at Sino-French University and achieved his Master’s Degree of Science there in 1925. After coming back to China, he served as Professor of Beijing Normal University, Peking University and Fudan University. In 1939, he served as Professor and later Provost and Dean of School of Engineering in Ying Shi University. Since 1943, he served successively as President of Peiyang Institute of Technology, Dean of the School of Sciences of Peiyang University and Dean of Peking Section of Peiyang University. When the P.R.C was just founded, Chen was appointed as Chair of Temporary Administrative Council of Peiyang University. Chen was devoted to education and academic research all his life. He educated a large number of talents who have been of great influence in academic and engineering circles. In addition, he wrote hundreds of books on mathematics and over 80 academic papers, with Noneuclidean Geometry, Advanced Mathematics Course (three volumes) and Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (two volumes) as magnum opus. On March 7th, 1981, Chen died in Beijing.
He served as President of National Peiyang Institute of Technology from 1943 to 1946.