The Geographical Distribution and Causes of the Female Writers during Ming and Qing Dynasties in Spatial Horizon: A Case Study of Songjiang Prefecture

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] The application of digital humanities and geographic information system can directly illustrate the geographical distribution characteristics of female writers in Ming and Qing dynasties, and provide quantitative references for the analysis of formation of such geographical distribution. [Method/Process] This paper analyzes the related information of female writers in Songjiang prefecture in the Ming Qing Women's Writings Database, including their dynasties, backgrounds, marital status, and works. Based on the geographical information system technologies, a visualization map for the geographical distribution of female writers in Songjiang prefecture during Ming and Qing dynasties is displayed. The correlation analysis is used to explore the influences of social economy and education on the geographical distribution of female writers from a spatial horizon. [Results/Conclusions] During Ming and Qing dynasties, there were 139 female writers in Songjiang prefecture. 77.7% of them were distributed in the central counties (such as Huating County, Lou County and Shanghai County), while 22.3% were distributed in other marginal counties. Additionally, the number of female writers in each county is significantly correlated with distinguished families and schools, but not with the farmland tax and the number of cotton industry towns in each county.