Hu Xueyan, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Hu Xueyan

Chinese banker

Date of Birth: 29-Sep-1823

Date of Death: 01-Jan-0001

Profession: businessperson, official, banker

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Hu Guangyong (1823–1885), better known by his courtesy name Xueyan, was a notable businessman in China during the latter Qing dynasty.
He was active in banking, real estate, shipping and Chinese medicine.
He was involved in the salt, tea, clothing, grain as well as the arms trade.
He is most notable for being the only person of the merchant class in the Qing dynasty to be awarded a red-topped hat, a rank indicating an officer of second grade (??; Èr pin) by the Qing imperial court.
He was also one of the few people who was given express permission by Empress Dowager Cixi to ride a horse in the Forbidden City, which at the time was a superior privilege.